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