Navigating Roma

I.
Why have you
come here?

Why do you
not bring change?

II.
The Roman
can tell
a stranger

from across
the stall

or grocery store
checkout.

III.
The stranger
knows not
of customs

of sale or trade.

IV.
He arrives
on a foreign plane
and fresh
from the bancomat on the corner.

V.
The Roman
knows how
to deter
a stranger.

VI.
The essentials,
pasta
crackers
zucherro

all hidden.

VII.
Behind impenetrable glass counters
guarded
by a Roman.

To deter
the stranger.

VIII.
Romans hate
a stranger.

He arrives
at the mercato
with only
€50 bills.

He leaves
with nothing.
No sale.
No.

IX.
Romans love change
and spurn

the stranger
who has none.

X.
But the fool
who brings none
will create

his own
change.

To the chagrin
of the Roman.

XI.
The modern city
skinned

to reveal
ancient wounds beneath.

XII.
More Forums
uncovered,

columns unearthed

bits and pieces
of Nero
of Constantine
in cold marble.

XIII.
All to attract
more strangers

for the Roman
to hate.

Inspired by Anne Carson's "The Fall of Rome: A Traveler's Guide" (tw #21)