Adhesion

In Vatican City a cardinal walks 
resolutely forward, his red train
flowing behind longer than a bride’s.

It’s silhouette passes by the open 
windows of the atelier reflecting 
crosses over the bodices of the
tailor’s latest scarlet creations.

Another black smoke day rises from 
the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. 

Blood shadows slowly abandon 
St. Peter’s square for the trek home.

The sun’s golden trail will soon yield 
to the purple plush of a Roman night.

its spectral color will caress the shoulders
of the woman with the straw hat and 
black dress wanting to dance in the Trevi;

the black suit businessman ignoring 
his even blacker shadow cast on 
the terra cotta wall of his dextral side; 

the young mother nursing her infant in 
the safe T between bosom and clavicle,
praying to the priest behind the screen.