As/Is







7.04.2004


Pauline, d.1869


La belle Pauline
would outlive them all
died at 90 in a Paris apartment
surrounded by uncaged birds
and monkeys

and what did two years in Egypt mean to her
once her hair had turned grey
and Napoleon was just a bit of flesh
floating in alcohol?

She, who was once Cleopatra
and had a rose-petal face?