Let's say a mirror
or rather an emerald stone
reflecting the Eternal City
wrapped in raging flames
as the ire of Vesuvius
enshrouds the Tyrrhenian waters..
Rome is burning:
the Porticus, the Circus Maximus;
the bustling Subura, the Argentilum,
the Velabrum, the fragant
gardens of Tiber...
The Caesar gazes at the sudden blaze
through an emerald stone like a mirror,
drinks a frothy wine in silver cup,
and recites the Illupersis
at the rhythm of a Greek zither...
He smiles at the green flames
engulfing the Eternal City to ashes.
Tipsy, slumberous in some kind of bliss,
He kisses the rosy fingers of effete boys
who gather round his horselaughing.
At last, the emerald stone solely reflects
the yawn of a worn-out Emperor.
the bad omen that portends to see
a famished wolf eating cinders
in the hands of Juno at sunrise.
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