in febrile light
the pavilions shimmer,
the icons of the city glow –
dark widows
settle on their plinths –
rays descend
through ancient
deep-framed windows
into still interiors –
articulate silent spaces
holding a preparedness –
evoke a
preternatural memory –
the old fire
crackles its wooden bones
blazes again –
strong, medieval
bright in the room –
and the wiry dog
inexorably drawn
comes once more to sniff
