oh historic asp of fortune, strike true
my breast and lay me low upon the ages!
beside cleopatra, though no lower
pleb than I ever was born. strike true, asp!
strike true that I may die with my beloved!
strike true that I do leave this tortured world
behind to the hands of anonymous
others who might or not love with passion
all that I have loved, or stare in wonder
at all that mine eyes have beheld in life!
I petition not to die – oh great Geist –
but to live now more poignant than ever.
beat true, oh heart! limp not in grief – beat now
our triumphant tattoo miraculous!

dmpitchford 12/4/23