BOTH SHALL KNOW 47BC

A ROMAN WOMAN AND HER SLAVE GIRL IN ROME IN 47BC

All the time
Aquila was here
my thought
were on Amy.

Aquila's talk
left me bored
to tears.

Talk of her husband's deeds,
and the price of slaves,
and who the latest gladiator
to catch her eye.

Amy stood nearby,
eyes on me,
eyes on eyes met,
while Aquila gabbed
to her heart's content.

Now I lie
upon my bed,
and think of Amy,
and if it were night,
how we could bed,
and love,
and she could
bring me to a higher
place in heart
and flesh.

Behind my closed eyes,
I see her,
her beauty none
shall share, my love,
and slave, and ex-gladiator,
whom I saved
(or Marcus
on my behest)
from a certain death,
if time had taken
its course, and some other
had a greater strength,
and skill,
to take down and kill.

I dread Marcus's return,
I wish him no harm,
but maybe
a longer campaign
to take him off
to other far off shores.

I lie here alone,
wishing Amy
could lie beside me,
but in daylight
it is too risky
than the night,
when others sleep,
and we can lie,
and kiss,
and make fair love
in hours' turn,
and moon's glow,
and her body and mine
can bring joy
which both shall know.