I Have Gazed Upon Cesar

I’ve moved from the bottom
To the edge of empire;
Stood there on a wall
Amid coiled,
Razor-scaled serpents.
I have watched the distance
With long, unblinking eyes,
Poised to touch
The hand of death.
I have moved amid
A sea of tents
Like untold others before
And beside me.
I have returned to find
What remains
Of the scattered limbs
I saw planted
In the road-side gardens
So popular in Babylon.
I have gazed upon Cesar,
With my own eyes;
Noted his smile
And lack of scars.