Epitaph
I studied the Roman epitaph
Translation provided by museum staff
Of a retired centurion of the 6th Legion
Scratched in letters three inches tall
on a gravestone found near Hadrian’s Wall
The name reads Titus Flavius Aquila
Praenomen, Nomen, Cognomen
Personal name, clan name, family name
Quite impressive
But I’ll keep mine just the same
I whispered the name and pondered
And couldn’t help but wonder
Could it have occurred to him, could he have thought
That two thousand years in the future
His name would still be remembered? Most likely not
A part of me likes to think,
I do that sometimes, especially with drink
In well-earned retirement, From his villa in the sky
A particular Roman centurion, heard his name echo
He looked my way, Smiled and winked
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