Once the center of a thriving Roman empire
Palatine Hill still stands silently
majestically
a former home of emperors
conquerors
of the known world
chipped alabaster idols whisper
about ancient days
amid marble columns leaning sidewise
the Circus Maximus gazes
at the palatial structures
with their underground mazes
the birthplace of Romulus
Rome’s legendary founder
near
the Triclinium Domus Flavia’s marble floors
remnants of glory gone in long ago wars
***