Title: Museum Pieces

Author: Chris Price

In: Sport 40: 2012

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, 2014, Wellington

Part of: Sport

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Sport 40: 2012

Pope Alexander VI prepares his benediction

page 361                

12 September: Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome

Pope Alexander VI prepares his benediction

The diamonds are pulverised;
the bear has had his arsenic.

The dinner guests are due
at eight. What did not work

at lunchtime will not fail
at supper. No need for the blade’s

straight talk; the stomach
is the place to set up roadblocks

to the heart. In circulation
my plan proceeds its round-

about way. I am death’s diplomat,
sugaring the inevitable with my

glittering tongue. So now the brilliant
goblet’s filled, swift passage guaranteed

to those who’ll drink my health
tonight; they shall be taken care of.