Ozymandias of Orlando

There are climate scientists who say that one day Florida will be a sun-and-wind-blasted desert. Reflecting on all the theme parks down there now (including the newly announced Hogwarts theme park in honor of the Harry Potter books and films), made me wonder...what will future days see?

Here's a reflection on this, with apologies to Shelley:

Ozymandias of Orlando

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two thin and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose smile
And outsized eyes and look of pure delight
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on plastics burnt and curled,
The dog that loved them and the duck of dread.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Mickey, welcome to Disney World:
This is the happiest place of Earth!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, lifeless and dearth,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.

It will be a shame when all that is left is all that is left.