Far Off Sea 47bc Poem by Terry Collett

I took Amy
into the City with me
there was talk

that Marcus
was to return soon
from the campaign abroad

so I wanted
to make the most
of the time

I had free with her
and have her
in my bed

until he comes
with his tall tales
and gossip of war

and blood and battles
and wanting his sex
and wants

it was crowded
people everywhere
the market

was so crowded
that we went away
as soon as we arrived

there was talk
and laughter
and arguments

and soldiers
marching here and there
so we went back home

and ate and drank
and I took Amy
to my bed

and in the quiet
of the afternoon
we made love

thinking of our being
and touching
and kissing

and not one jot
of thought
of Marcus's return

from some far off campaign
and his lumbering body
over mine

his lips soaking me
in wine soaked kisses
and the fingers

that held a sword
and cut throats
and cut off heads

fingering me
his wife Annona
o gods

may his ship sink
in some
far off sea.