INVOCATION

For Quintus Horatius Flaccus

Randolph: “The whole of you, the depth of you, called to me.”
Christabel: “You take me out of myself and give me back — diminished — I am wet eyes — and touched hands — and lips am I too — a very present-famished-fragment of a woman."

I: “If it happens it happens, and if it doesn’t it doesn’t.”
You: “It has to happen.”
I: “And then, you say it will die forever?”
You: “Yes”
I: “Really?”
You: “…”
I: “The eyes, then, can I touch them?”
You: “Yes”
I: “Now?”
You: “Yes”
I: “Then, it happened?”
You: “Yes”
I: “Veni vidi vinci.”
You: “Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit.”
I: “...”

Cecilia Bartoli: “Quella fiamma che m’accende.”