Ray Gallucci

Roman Rumination

I went to visit ancient Rome,
But found it never fell.
Its buildings may seem crumbled stone,
But it's alive and well.

Its mighty temples still exist
Though in an altered form.
Its rings of gold and amethyst
Still fingers rich adorn.

For in the City Vatican
The emperor still reigns,
Descended from Octavian,
Worldwide now his domains.

The trappings of pomposity
Are fully on display
To glorify antiquity
The Roman Catholic way.

Upon the Hill Capitoline
Sat Caesar on his throne
Until the rule of Constantine,
Who eastward looked to home.

Successor of St. Peter took
The reigns of Rome in West.
He found when its foundations shook
Himself sole ruler left.

The statues of the Roman gods
Were chiseled into saints,
And temples where the Vestals trod
No more would pagans taint.

Now priests still Roman togas wear
(But claim they're "sacred robes").
And Pope is carried in a chair
While incense burns in globes.

So what has changed from Rome
That Romulus and Remus deigned?
An emperor still sits upon a throne
And holds the chains.

But visitors like me are awed
By Rome's reputed ruins,
Until the Tiber's banks I cross
Where Rome Eternal looms.

{Poem by Ray Gallucci}