At the foot of the Aventine <br />the Protestant cemetery, <br />and the ultimate tourist souvenir <br />where Cestus was buried. <br /> <br />In the scramble of paths a hunt; <br />the cats accompanying me assured <br />a mouse at least must be my goal. <br /> <br />They tolerate my rest in the far corner, <br />where Keats’ grave is placed. <br />The stone within his heart <br />removed to mark his grave. <br /> <br />Quiet the wind, August flowers scattered, <br />cornflowers blossoming <br />above his head. <br /> <br />Quiet the cat that presently sat by me, <br />listening carefully to my quotes <br />with drowsy purr. <br /> <br />John Keats! <br />Whoever else lies near you, <br />yours is the golden spirit <br />of late summer Rome.<br /><br />Kathleen Griffin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pyramid-of-cestus/
