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