Epigone’s Epiphany, Sonnet - Unread from November Challenge Options

[Larry]

After a week or so of languishing unread in the Challenge Forum, I thought I might post this here to get feedback.


Epigone’s Epiphany

An artist stood before the marble square
of pink and mauve; despair upon his face.
Commissioned to create a visage, fair;
his calloused hands caressed, began to trace

the veins of antique white within the stone
which Time with boundless patience did imbue.
Each line, its untold story could intone
that he, with maul and chisel might construe;

embellishing what ancient sculptor wrought
while carving mountains into grains of sand.
Through shattered dreams, the pedestal was sought
to shape the countenance. His wanting hand…

Millennia’s mosaic tale remains
when knowledge of ability constrains.


Words used in order of appearance: despair, visage, antique, stone, boundless, sculptor, sand, shattered, pedestal, remains

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Larry, I thought I had replied to this in the challenge format, now I see that it didn't go through. I apologise for that. I really loved the message here, it flows so smooth that I almost missed what you had to say... one little nit, should the last line in S3 be "His wanted hand..." or 'His waiting hand...'? Waiting sounds better and feels like it fits better also, maybe it's just me.

Thanks for posting Larry.

Steve

[Larry]

Hi Steve,

No apology's are needed. I just wish we had more participation in the challenges.

As far as the last part of S3 - His wanting hand...

The artist knew he was not good enough to accomplish his commission by using the beautiful block of marble for the bust. Thus, he and his "hand" were found wanting. That is the context I was striving to emphasize; not that he was waiting to carve the marble. Appreciate your stopping in for a read. As you probably know, an "epigone" is basically one who is a mediocre imitator and this one knew his limitations.

Larry

[Guest_Ellen_*]

Seldom have I seen such an intriguing title that is so pertinent as it encapsulates the very essence of your poem. Your imagery paints a vivid picture of this sculptor's appreciation of the marble's beauty as well as his hesitation as he recognized the limitation of his own skill. The R & M are great too as is the flow in general. I really enjoyed reading this a few times.

[Thoth]

Dear Larry,

Excellent sonnet and a brilliant response to the challenge. The title is a stroke of genius as Ellen already said.

I loved some of your word-strings;
"while carving mountains into grains of sand." What a thought indeed!

Thanks for bringing this one up, I was away at the time.

Cheers,

Wally

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Larry, ah ha... no I didn't know about epigone until I read your poem and had to look it up, always learning something new...lol.
I thought thats what you meant but I read it another way...was just something I had to ask.
Steve

[Merlin]

Hello Larry,
... and I thought it was about a fancy dish of some sort!

I've a bit of a bounce on Millennia’s mosaic, finding I must put a ee-ah on Millennia which is unnatural on this side of the Rockies.

Merlin

[Sekhmet]

Hi Larry - It is good to see your entry to the Monthly Challenge posted here. I am hoping that it will encourage more members to pick up the gauntlet.
I have read this several times before commenting - The classical allusions needed to be sorted out in my mind - thank Goodness for Google!
Epigone - doomed to fail.
How dreadful it is, to strive to leave a mark upon the world - then, upon absorbing the works of the Masters, realize that we are unlikely to supersede, or even to match their work.
Salieri in, 'Amadeus' was a prime exemplar.
You have used the set words with great skill - and have made an elegant poem which stands in its own right.
Leo xx