Imperial City

From the outset I hated the city of my ancestors.

I was fearful I’d be put in the dungeon below

the cathedral. The best example of the Romanesque

a guide was saying in German      in English      in French

where are buried eight German kings      four queens

twenty-three bishops      four Holy Roman Emperors

all of whom used this bishopric on the river as the seat

of the kingdom. On the old gate at one end a clock

told an ancient form of time. I sulked along behind

my parents as the guide gave facts about the war

with the Saracens      about the place where the Jews bathed

about the child like me whose father the Peaceful

having already produced an heir by his first marriage

could marry      for love.