Poem

Ancient Rome
by James Capozzi 
[New Republic Online, 10/27/05]

The doge wipes his fingers in a slave's hair
Through cypress, sounds of a hot spring refilling
Many hands tremble at the labrador's back
The peddlers fear when the emperor's near
Fear eats the seawall alive
Fifty shopgirls fathom utter death
Gorgon in the fountain makes us mostly into art
A houseboat sings I'm stunning inside
Below the staircase the doge and I talk
Of a terrific wake on some ochre ducks
Camels plan their reappearance and arrest
The streak of blood that trails a bass
Help the passels of felons get                                              
                                                        and the way
Dear at night our pores and fears pair off