It is one thing to be imprisoned
by an unstable emperor but
quite another to request an audience
before a raging king or to attempt to bring
some offering of peace 
before one who has proven
their penchant for war
and roped you in 
and egged you on
and sold you out
and turned you all about.

Rome burned without a doubt
but not only Nero fiddled. You
who knew that love believes all things
nevertheless might confess with
that earlier experience considered
that love and valor must be met
with wisdom and dignifty.
Irrationality projected, along with
pricks meant to manipulate must
be seen for what they are
and not entertained as other
for slimmest chance of gain.

Let history be the lesson here
and do not seek appeasement
or last request for easement. 
Do not whittle away this day
and pretend you do not see
the arbitrary or intentioned act
of a wrathful vengeance or 
think so highly of yourself
to defy the threat of death.
 
Time and truth hang in the balance
and my heart tires of the swing
and our broken story and
all the bones buried. 

There is no power
in patterned sacrifice,
no glory in replicated ruin,
no honor in murder multiplied,
nor in truth divided.

Forever. Or never. Wits
or wisdom? Dark descent or dignity?
Your head or your heart? Your mind
or the mind of Christ?

Do not fall for this again.
Choose to loose the chains.
Dare to live. There will be 
an angel where needed.

And grace sufficient.