She came alone, and those that saw her deign

To give her hand so that the host could kiss

Her ring, still faintly smelling of the oil

She used to ease it from those fingers stained

In memory could have sworn they heard a hiss

Upon the lips of one who claimed the spoils

Of war and then revealed his profits earned

Upon the market where no providence

Could force a smile from silenced Mnemosyne,

This one who slept while ancient cities burned

Now watched her flaunt the only evidence

That all had not been to the fates consigned.

And so he moved toward her, introduced

Himself, and asked her if she'd care to dance.

He took her hand and led her to the floor

Then whispered in her ear and gently loosed

The ring, so smoothly no one looked askance

Or questioned whom this bold display was for.

And when the waltz had ended, they were gone,

Lost in the throng that massed outside the hall

Of history's mirrors, shattered one by one,

To spin like pinwheel stars above the ball.