Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 4

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Algeria.

In Africa. The north. Much sand.

It is a storied, fabled land.

Where conquerors have made a stand.

Then failed. And left their ruins there.

Sahara’s winds blow everywhere,

Removing, hiding from the air.

And all who came—and all who died?

I think of Shelley, still our guide,

And Ozymandias’ pride.*

*from "Ozymandias," 1818, by Percy Bysshe Shelley:

“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”