in a tavern above the harbor of Ashkelon
an earthen ware mini amphora
served thirsty Greek sailors
the conquering Romans
kept it on in a lively taberna

It survived the west Roman empire
the Byzantine conquest
but not the stern abstinential Muslims
who conquered the wine bibing infidels
and broke their implements of drunkeness

I picked up a shard on a visit,
rummaging in the ruins of Ashkelon-
and brought it home as a curio
among other conversation pieces
on top of my piano, it now lives on