Bluffo in Rome

poor Bluffo arriving in Rome

with solemn face as though

he understood the depth

of the man he cannot even

kneel to honor

night’s lingering indigo

night’s lingering indigo

 low clouds muted

by night’s lingering indigo

smother the valley below me

creating a backdrop

for the stark juxtaposition

of white frost on field and roof

against the ebony-green of stands

of pine and fir