The Assassination of Agrippina

^{(59 C.E., Bay of Baiae)}

The ship a tall flame on water
Agrippina drags herself onto shore

covered in sand and water greens
She pants on her back awhile

A light there on her eyes—
she opens  sees a bright blade

There is no stopping what has
already happened   A band latches

on my throat       I want her to have
power of command here too

to slow the inevitable
down to tenderness

Wait   she says
and he does

They sit cross-legged
telling of things—every

moment that led to this one
But time passes

There is no more to tell   Agrippina
grows quiet    I suppose you

should kill me    The man looks away
Here  she says    trains the knife

on her womb       Do it here so
maybe he  too  will feel it