Introduction to The Lone and Level Sands Stretch Far Away
#53 of poetry
So, when you submit a story to be read on The Voice of Dog, assuming it's long enough to be split into two parts, you're expected to write a little "here's what was in part 1" summary, for the host to read to catch the listener back up since by the time part 2 is posted it'll have been like half a week since part 1 came out.
And since The Lone and Level Sands Stretch Far Away (which you can read HERE: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1881959 or listen to HERE: https://www.thevoice.dog/episode/the-lone-and-level-sands-stretch-far-away-by-pascal-farful-and-rob-macwolf-part-1-of-2) was titled with a quote from the sonnet "Ozymandias" by Percy Shelley, I thought, well, maybe I could work in a few more paraphrases of lines from that into the summary?
And the next thing I knew I'd written said summary AS a sonnet and full-on parody of Ozymandias.
I think what I'm proudest of is that the last line isn't just the same as the last line of the source material, but that by having it be both the last line AND the title, I could run it right into the final repetition of the story title just by leaving it out of the host script.
We met two travelers to an antique land.
Across the haunted stars they came in search--
While newly mated, newly hand in hand--
Of shattered remnant visage in the dirt.
The one has eyes on knowledge and renown
And seeks the truth whatever it may be.
The other only wants to lay them down
And savor fully love's epitome.
But in the reader's mind, a guess appears:
This planet's name is lost, but not unknown.
Look on this tale, ye readers. Don't despair,
But love your days of love while they're your own.
That is the moral of our tale today:
"The Lone and Level Sands Stretch Far Away."