Da Vinci's Demons. Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

A Turk with secrets, eyes so deep,
Recruits Leonardo, from his sleep.
A Book of Leaves, a power untold,
Wisdom within, more precious than gold.

But Riario lurks, a Roman spy,
For Pope Sixtus, his sights are high.
Florence a chessboard, clues to find,
A battle of wits, for the knowing mind.

Riario's schemes, a poisoned art,
Threatening Florence, tearing it apart.
Leonardo's brilliance, a saving grace,
Inventions new, to win the race.

Southward they sail, a forced alliance,
To Machu Picchu, a new defiance.
A stone city, secrets kept,
The Book of Leaves, where legends slept.

Incan guardians, standing tall,
A Vault of Heaven, answering the call.
Traps and trials, a deadly test,
Leonardo's mind, puts all to rest.

Otranto falls, a burning pyre,
Ottoman might, fueled by Da Vinci's fire.
Italy divided, needs a guiding hand,
With Rome he joins, to save the land.

Love's tangled web, Lucrezia near,
Lorenzo's mistress, fueled by fear.
A spy for Rome, her heart in strife,
Entangled in Leonardo's life.

The Pope a lie, a brother's guise,
Imprisoned twin, behind false eyes.
Lorenzo strives, for Florence's plea,
Medici's burden, for all to see.