Orpheus Was an Empire

Someday, the only mention
Left of today’s world powers
May be in references

To them in early scriptures
Of powers yet to be born—
China and America

Known only for outsize roles
In the early documents
Of the Hegemon of Mars,

As Babylon for some time
Was recalled from the viewpoints
Of peripheral kingdoms

It had battered or conquered.
More likely, someday won’t be
That parallel to our past.

This will be like this, we say.
That will be like that. And then
Waves sweep us, singing, away.