The Treasure Ships

Rich ornamental procession     enough wealth to dazzle a Prester John,     Sheba's queen, even the fawning     burghers of Rothschild's domain.     Reams of it,     Park Avenues in     torrents down a mountain side;     Eldorados,     the gardens of Babylon become shimmering in the sun;     this vulgar display,     this sheer ostentation.     Such are the waters of the rich I now approach.     Peach gold fabulous wealth.     More men of substance here     than all the proverbial luxury since antiquity,     - talents, ingots, ducats - bars     so heavily encrusted with gems     the very floor boards groan     with the largesse.     Never a Buddha's tooth     Pierpont scheme,     crown     or outstretched finger     did circumnavigate     more treasure     than this eye     swelling around     that one treasure chest procured.     Like a ship glutting the Spanish Main     - my treasure ship -     she vies with me     my memories     Midas' gold     or Krupp's iron wealth secured     all of which is a ransom     parleying against the crowned heads of this world.