Rome

it was as if nothing had ever existed
who am i tonight, tomorrow or yesterday?
strange days and stranger nights,
spooked from the corpses, such scavengers
the tang of gunpowder in the air
shadows growing, ever longer

blank and broken - shattered by nothing
you're in the danger zone, a sweet destination
i can hear your rejoicing
gagging, choking, spitting out your venom
there are no magic words to save you

you sigh so prettily when your cigarette burns low
stubbing it out in the palm of your hand
just an excuse for pain
a wedding of heart and soul, musical, innocent
i remember your gasp of pleasure
sinfully exotic, touched by fire

you've always reminded me of fair Italy
burnished gold by a setting sun
unbowed you, you hold on, unbent, cling...and so broken,
your eyes speak of untold nights
where a mellow breeze kissed you
and tears made their way down your cheeks

the shirtless man on the bicycle waved to you
all you could do was cry and tell me
about your last lover, and how, like Rome,
you fell.
trembling in the cold night air, saying No...
he refused to listen.

(c) 2013