Pearly White for Femininity,
Dark Red for Masculine Loveliness
She tried to look her best and those who cared
About her paid a painter for her tomb.
Her favorite jewels, pearls that were paired
With deep red stones, now decorate the room
The tiny room, her coffin. Just this one
Egyptian effigy remains of her
Except the mummy in its cloth. Outdone
By Hadrian’s young love, she must defer
To death’s Antinous whom Caesar made
Immortal. She was mortal, though, there in
The city founded for the worship weighed
In sacrifice for Caesar’s boy in sin.
..This all had much to do with beauty, she
….Quite plain, his beauty holy by decree.