Alchemisland

The retinues have filed out for the night

With each subsequent wine, the whiny entitled Emperor chides

His lover and mate for suggesting castration

“So that further decay might be held at bay!”

That higher registers he should maintain

Until no brown remained in the Emperor’s mane,

Gone the way of his eyes, the same disguising grey.

Antinous, sandal askew

Mensis Octobre if the timetenders correctly crew, braying horse time.

Distant Memphis a speck, the set dressing menses painted with taut lime

Antinous drunk on the lugger’s sun-wet deck, the Nile dregs stunk highsun

To prove himself no older in recklessness or regard for self

He leant over the side, ‘midst expired dogs and active crocodiles

A sound turned him around

Strange, he imagined a handless stabbing, back-bound fashion

When his lover emerged from the cabin, falchion flashing

Nervously laughing, full of backward glances, shorn of ease’s gladness

He saw through infatuation to murderous madness, and knew.

Closer drew that most appellationed trooper, in a no-backtracking stupor;

Famous for persuasion changable and humour untamable.