A restless river runs close by the copse
Inside the forest, ruins steadily decay
The stage that once sung, now sits in silence
No more a theatre, but not yet just stone
The water continues with a mind of its own.
Times fallen soldiers appear over the way
Trapped by memory, they seek to go home
Lost ancient cities glint in their midst
But it's thankless to now guide Romans to Rome.
Pageants proceed with rhythmic destruction
Those shimmering cities,  they no longer exist,
And the faithful, in turn, all scatter to dust.
The forest advances with an imperceptible burst
While white clouds above drift on.