She watched as they rested
the crown on his head
jewels on her sandals
red doves in her hands
she was fair-haired
dressed in fine silk robes
undaunted
unveiled
her shoulders white
as a palace floor
they were children together
in forests of moonlight
names in a cave
red hearts in the sand
she watched as he donned
the emperor’s clothes
he ruled for a time
as they hoped that he might
in fine silk robes
and jewels on her sandals
untitled
uncrowned
she sat to his right
sister and lover
brother and wife
and fever or madness
crept through his brain
like a thief in a palace
her shoulders white
on the marble floor
our sister Drusilla
unworthy
unwept
no jewels on her feet
no doves in her hand
and cold as the night
in a red winter land.