‘Celer and Severus [Nero's architects] also created an ingenious mechanism, cranked by slaves, that made the ceiling underneath the dome revolve like the heavens, while perfume was sprayed and rose petals were dropped on the assembled diners. According to some accounts, perhaps embellished by Nero’s political enemies, on one occasion such quantities of rose petals were dropped that one unlucky guest was asphyxiated (a similar story is told of the emperor Elagabalus).

“Nero gave the best parties, ever,” archaeologist Wallace-Hadrill told an interviewer … Nero, who was obsessed with his status as an artist, certainly regarded parties as works of art. His official party planner was Petronius.’

The golden smoke lifts between your keys
tenderly retreating browbeaten bees
pajama feet moth feelers button tree
bent-wood box

winter cortisone forced narcissus
mostly-toasted seedy loaf
responding with aplomb
reclining intoomb
moisten your page-turner