I Have Met Rome Poem by Justine Camacho Tajonera

I have met Rome both as beggar
on the street
and king on the throne,
as old man fumbling with words
and young, fearless man
with golden hair and
jubilant voice.

I have met myself in Rome
as woman without
a language,
at a loss for words when,
gripped with emotion
and tears going down
my face at the
sight of the Pope,
I realized that no one
translated his words
into any Asian language
despite a hoard
of Japanese pilgrims.

I have met myself as Rome,
victor and defeated,
slave and conqueror.

December 3,2003