The Innisfree Poetry Journal

www.innisfreepoetry.org

by Jason Maffettone

I HAVE GAZED UPON CAESAR

I've moved from the bottom
To the edge of empire,
Stood there on a wall
Amid coiled, razor-scaled
Serpents. I have watched
The distance
With unblinking eyes,
Poised to touch the hand of death.
I have moved amid
A sea of tents,
Counted the hours of
Tedious, relative safety
Like others before
And beside me.
I have returned to find
What remains
Of the scattered limbs
Planted in the road-side
Crater gardens
So popular in Babylon.
I have gazed upon Caesar
With my own eyes,
Noted his smile
And his lack of scars.


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