"The B-Side of 'Ozymandias'"

Did you know that when Percy Bysse Shelley wrote "Ozymandias", he did so in a friendly competition with his pal Horace Smith ...

... who also wrote his own version of the same poem, making the same point?

Except here's the thing:

I think Smith's "Ozymandias" might be even *better*

Part of it, anyway

My essay: https://clivethompson.medium.com/the-b-side-of-ozymandias-6651dee01c08

A free "friend" link in case you're not a Medium subscriber: https://clivethompson.medium.com/the-b-side-of-ozymandias-6651dee01c08?sk=7f78cb459f021e43a9dae4a16e017194