Cross The Lions Gate - II

#23-2 (Pre-Raphelite Society Submission)

          Twilit' eve,

Shadows drawn,

     but his stood tall.

Mourners and rites dismissed,

   slab laid,

 here it cast upon.

Intent

            Fixed

Pondering on forms above.

     Whispered,

 barely heard amongst,

    soft cricket song and distant dove.

"What of you princely beings,

      have I not proved,

    divinity can bleed?"

 "Heir apparent to all beheld

        Manicured marble,

    Garden plazas,

        Strident avenues.

    Where at my beck,

   countless swords would salute.

 Man made mass,

   Collective god,

      marshaled,

  shifting destiny.

Momentum, you mere sinew proven..

  Could only dream arrest,

carried back where all roads lead"

   A moments beat,

      raised.

"Agrippa."

   Stood quiet,

     as ever beside.

 "What throne is Sol's seat?"

             considered,

"He traces about the heavens, 

 finding none,

    deigning to supplant,

 he would be rebuffed.

Or making good, disrupt all order,

 finding rule over pithy ash."

pensive shift,

     and replied.

"So here they lie,

      what all

  struggle, betrayal, deceit

           for this..

 Progeny foster,

            and a last crown,

could they not suffer pride?

 With all else bargained?

  What venom sunk deep

                  in Antony's heart?

Blearily proclaiming "King"

           She,

     clever and resolute,

  binds me to contract,

 at final cataract,

    a Sphinxes play.

        Finely meted,

  weary strife, with all wicked measure,

      of a cornered lioness.

   The faintest glimmer,

  of what bewitched, two proud Romans.

Had I not been certain,

   her fangs and claws were clipped.

 I may very well have been the same prey."

        Silent they break, 

		          stride together,

		    hand lazy on conqueror's hilt.

          Begrudged to spare his sate,

             black land his final diadem.

           Red land for her children’s sake.			 

Tomb left to fading torchlight,

	 nights closing as lovers take there seat.

	     Ra's journey will find them then.

		    Promise kept in crossing,

                 The Lion's Gate.