Silly

a humorous poem about ancient coins. Critiques requested.

Silly

Robert Deimel



Semisses, tremissis, solidus, follis;
Nummus and hexagram, bronze of Theophilos.

Solidus, nomisma doucatopoulon;
Trachy, from Basil the First, Macedonian.

Stavraton tournesion half tetarteron;
Aspron, follaro and miliaresion.

"What is the meaning of this?" I implore.
"They're coins of an empire remembered no more."

"Of billon and copper, electrum and gold;
These coins were the means by which everything sold."

"And what might we say of the wight who conspired
To write of these medieval coins long retired?"

"He's bored, perhaps restless – a bit overstressed;
A man who's perplexed or in need of a rest.

Or maybe he's crazy with bats in the attic –
A poor Byzantine numismatic fanatic."