Cold brass rests in palm leather worn
Piazza stones drink misty morn
Shutter clicks the sleeping square
No espresso steam perfumes the air
Rome before dawn holds its breath
Clockwork heart beats slow as death
Apprentice waits for copper light
Captures hours before first bite
Gear teeth mesh in oil and dust
Time suspended, gears adjust
Lens cap off, aperture wide
History leans where tourists hide
Double bass hums from window above
Rhodes piano drips like honey love
Muted trumpet sighs through shuttered glass
Moments caught like broken glass
Rome before dawn holds its breath
Clockwork heart beats slow as death
Apprentice waits for copper light
Captures hours before first bite
Film advance lever clicks once more
Frame by frame the night gives o'er
Silver halide drinks the gray
Dawn develops on the way
Cafe chairs still stacked in rows
Vespa tires on wet cobbles prose
First spoon clinks in ceramic cup
Time exposed, developing up
Rome before dawn holds its breath
Clockwork heart beats slow as death
Apprentice waits for copper light
Captures hours before first bite
Shutter closes, day begins
Negative where memory wins
Frame fixed. Light sealed. Done.
