Ode to an Ancient Urn

While strolling through the Harvard museum, I came upon this relic of times past:  Inspired by John Keats' Ode to a Grecian Urn,

I began scribbling out a few stanzas of verse. The outpouring of such inspiration streamed a poem which developed, as it unfolded, in a re-working of Emma Lazarus' hallowed verse, carved into the base of our Statue of Liberty :

Oh you regal monument of American glory Oh, fastened-icon in silence and slow time, Immigrant enlightener, who can tell our story? with American verse more welcoming than your shine? What flame-fired legends ascend around your glory from immigrants and travellers in Time? What immigrant pursuit? What struggles to escape? What cultures and traditions? What foreign experience? Seasoned citizens are sweet, but those unbound are fresher; therefore, ye winds of change, blow on; Not to the sensual ear, but to the more profound Enlighten still the nations, challenges unknown. Oh Liberty Lady, amidst the waves, you must not snuff out your torch above our golden door! You must not fade; though foxes rave and magas pout! For Freedom you shall stand on our American door! Who are these at your Enlightened stand? To what carved altar, oh Liberating lady, Do you welcome those fair immigrants who land with their baggage and burdens so weighty? What faraway clan from adversity's shore, from mountain slope or valley glen, is destined by their hopeful and hallowed lore, to be transported to our new world den? Oh hallowed lady! poised on Liberty's shore in sculpted stone, with torch so bright! Greet your huddled masses, rich and poor Lead them with your liberating light! As huddled masses yearning to be free sail through their their troubled plight Hold high your torch, Lady Liberty! Smoke</i>