Packing up Rome

I rested on the Colloseum steps
My eyes sliding down its slopes
Weaving through its buried maze

I shuffled throught the Roman Forum
My hands against rough stone
My thoughts with virgins underground

I walked beside the Palatine
I searched the hill for its high-leafed trees
Seen before on plates and vases

And when I was done with the Ancient City
I folded her neatly in an old newspaper
And boxed her all away,
Somewhere between the stone and golden age.