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.

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