Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A Visit to Versailles

Met by pigeons, we enter the gate,
the crest of the king in gold filigree and iron,
the grand promenade, a car park,
before us, massive Versailles,
residence of French kings since the 17th Century.
Guards monitor our passing,
our sandals and tennis shoes, a Gallic shrug.
Would the king have said,
“Off with their heads!”

Entry to Versailles (Camp 2004)



















Should the king wish to pray,
his private chapel awaits, surely ornate enough
To inspire thoughts of God.

Ceiling, Upper columns,
King's Private Chapel (Camp 2004)




















We walk past the king’s bedroom,
Courtiers arrived each morning
to assist him in dressing, even to the chamber pot.

The King's bedroom (Camp 2004)















Stunned by opulence, we continue,
down the Hall of Mirrors so arranged
the king could admire his progress
to the Queen’s bedroom or beyond. 

Hall of Mirrors (Camp 2004)



















Who could imagine
at the end of World War I,
Germany signed the Treaty of Peace here?

Detail, Queen's Bedroom (Camp 2004)















Would a jug of wine, a loaf of bread
be sufficient in such a place?
The long halls, empty of furniture and portable art,
throng now with tourists and history.

In the Royal Theater, 3,000 wax candles
burned at each performance.
Perhaps artisans were well rewarded,
I only recall this excess
led to the French Revolution.

Versailles (Wikipedia)



1 comment:

Amy B said...

Hi Beth!
So fascinating! I loved how you described it, interweaving history and your impressions. I just met with a friend yesterday who had recently come back from France. She had been talking about Versailles.
Thank you for sharing this post!!
Amy