The Latest Caesar

 

The old man, 

sanguine as Claudius

and pliant as Commodus, 

trails off....

Missiles shriek from Western jets,  

filament of white hair dives

like tares sowing strains 

of genocide.  

Pageantry

 

"....and the hot force of the stars were impelled 

   to come into being." (Parmenides, from Simplicius, Commentary on On the Heavens)

Reborn

 

Mother's ascent bears more life within.

The tranquil sound of her word 

fills my inner ear, 

mind's eye sees her smile

and the brilliant blue 

of her bright eyes.

She's revived in the bosom

of my spirit forever.