Keys to the City

Didn’t rain choke the animal throats

of the cathedral      sputter

against the roofs of the city      didn’t the flight

of stairs rise up above the cobbled street

didn’t the key clamor

in the lock      flood

the vestibule with clattering    didn’t we climb

the second flight

toward the miniature Allegory

painted on the ceiling

and touch the flat-faced girls

winged      part animal

who did not flinch and did not scamper