Today I walked through these Roman ruins,
A thousand and seven hundred years old,
Scattered with nubbled Egyptian columns
Pockmarked by the brunt of centuries.
I breathed upon blue veined marble –
Medusa’s thighs – and nestled under her skirts
Where the aqueduct poured fish into
The underground cistern, feeding a city
Of Emperors and slaves with its tears.
This sacred place!
Where people, for centuries,
Had risen from their stupor,
Having eaten, lusted, prayed,
Drunk with sensual pleasure,
And reached for one another again.
Somehow, I was certain that you were thinking of me
As I leant forward, seduced by
Medusa’s upturned head.
- In Istanbul, October 23 2012.
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