Once Holy
Roman Empire,
long opulent,
now spent—

these Ruins
of the Baths
of Antoninus

sun-bathe
beaten soft
by centuries
of sun and wind and rain.

A bird’s nest
high in an arch
and the sound
of waves—

some signs of life remain
in this thermae Āfricae

in this lost country
of Carthage

deep set
by the sea.