To Roman Numerals

Your legions marched through deserts

and rivers only to end up as the distinction

between a classy clock and a cheap one, the primary

points in a Hardvard Outline,

the regnal numbers,

remnants of a once great, but not

entirely mathelmatically gifted empire.

You missed out on all the exciting bits,

counting to infinity or recognizing zero,

lacked gentle curves,

preferring to be regal and sturdy.

Your bold strokes, I must admit,

do echo the pillars of the Pantheon,

stoic and absolutely sure.

I am a bit messier.

My lines may not be quite as strong, 

but your legions do not know flexibility

or the possibilities of multiple infinities.

Sincerely yours,

the Hindu Arabic system.