Shawn Assignment # 11

Italian Propaganda

They built Rome in marble.

But marble burns.

The slow smolder of the city glows orange,

And the smoke snakes upward;

An offering to the gods.

To the ground.

Rome. Intentional?

A random conglomeration of buildings.

The streets aren't parallel.

Ruins built from ruins,

Stolen from the past to build an immortal name.

Again,

and again,

and again.

The differing agendas of the ages,

All with the same message.

Rome was an empire, built to impress.

"I AM HERE!"

Inscriptions.

"REMEMBER!"

Dedications.

"LOOK AT ME!"

Subtle.

From Romulus to Caesar,

To Julius II.

Remember.

Religion and power;

Together they rule Rome.

Artists build statues and paint ceilings.

Remember who paid for this.

A monument to a name.

My name.

Money and luxury insinuate themselves into sacred places.

The glory of God.

Who rules Rome?

What will you remember?

Who will you remember?

Valentino?

Augustus?