I
Corinth’yun pillars parse.
The Bath-stone, piled ‘n placed, entombs.
Engraved reliefs entice – set-sails
‘gainst castle walls.
Arch o’er entry hollows holding
quartz ‘n ash reflecting flitting
momentary, time-trapped instances
of starlit being.
Flock –
wings abreast a covered sky.
The pane that stands between millennia.
II
In dark interior it’s shelved,
a scattered scene of lives cohered
about it, th’little bundle – bound –
of twine – entwined.
A ball, now thrown now still
now caught above the Ra-
resplendent sand; the shadows
of the children hieroglyph
across a temple wall.
III
I’d place my palm
on yours if I could reach
through glass ‘n time.
IV
I’d hold your hand.
If e’er I shall,
you felt it.
Image credit – Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
william altoft 