A stacatto counter-sermon. Our daily travails and various regimes fully absorbed by an indifferent clock without markings. If (when?) a mental breakdown happens, it would be fun to repeat the D and S sounds in the closing lines over and over as an insane tic: “Diadems drop and Doges surrender / Soundless as dots on a Disc of Snow”.

“Time to change your bedpan, sir.”

[Perhaps a faint nod at the orderly] “Diadems drop and Doges surrender…” 

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers
by Emily Dickinson

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers —
Untouched by Morning —
And untouched by Noon —
Lie the meek members of the Resurrection—
Rafter of Satin — and Roof of Stone!

Grand go the Years — in the Crescent — above them —
Worlds scoop their Arcs —
And Firmaments — row —
Diadems — drop — and Doges — surrender —
Soundless as dots — on a Disc of Snow —

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome