Roman Couplets
I have to tell you: I made two.
Didn’t know how else
to make it. I put them
a double return a
a double return a
-part on the page, let them
fall through sky
fall through sky
side by side. I oppose
these maneuvers, but the truth
these maneuvers, but the truth
is there were two—
one left me, one loved me,
one left me, one loved me,
they were the same.
They were different. One is
They were different. One is
real, one is my
version. I do not agree
version. I do not agree
with myself. I do not allow
him to go—why else
him to go—why else
all these columns
of strangling
of strangling
narrative frieze? I have to tell
him: I made two. Didn’t know
him: I made two. Didn’t know
how else to make it. I put them
together when the hand
together when the hand
undoes my penmanship.
I am left with little
I am left with little
Rome for error. I choose
wrong, then I revise.
wrong, then I revise.
I choose wrong, then I
choose wrong, then I see
choose wrong, then I see
it again: the height of
what we know
what we know
of man and his
stunning architecture.
stunning architecture.
I have to return
to Rome—I may have missed
to Rome—I may have missed
the other I was
supposed to become.
supposed to become.
They stayed two.
Didn’t know how
Didn’t know how
else to make
a choice. Didn’t
a choice. Didn’t
know how else to tell
you of the breaking.
you of the breaking.
