there are remissions

there are remissions
of a certain kind, open to question:
stealthy sorties unlike military missions—
they are shrouded

just as a woven frock is plain
when accessorized only with winks
squints, lacking meaningful grain
or texture that is authentic

then again, earlier on
a line of Caesars raise their thumb
and Cleopatra cracks
a crafty smile—
she blinks Provencal
and you like it

their patois commands a trio
stilettos flung with abandon in three bangs
call the audience to attention
[a 'ten-hut or sorts]

most of them gasped
while one simply shattered
sentimental

later on, the headline read:
At the Forum
Something Wily
Today
One Dead for Certain.