The painter’s brush was commissioned

by those who drank from noble vessels

to account a sacrifice at court:

Seated ruler with a spiteful glare

while an executor displays a trophy head,

three captive tremble to see their fate.

The artist’s brush was not mistaken

on his painted vase held in our gaze:

Common humanity is unbound

by the artist’s intent to illustrate

bodies bowed in submission,

drops of red accentuated,

stricken eyes stare out forever.