Protocol for the Queen of Spain

Protocol

 for the Queen of Spain

Protocol for the Queen of Spain

The queen of Spain must not look out the window

her ladies-in-waiting would not approve.

The queen of Spain does not go walking

no chance may mar her fixed appearance.

The queen of Spain at a reception

there is no reception without the queen.

The queen of Spain in black and velvet

embellished with metallic lace.

Enclosed within her cone of fabric

she awaits the psychiatric

in place she stands, before the mirror

idle gossip ever nearer

she plays for time; she inquires of the hour

how to be a basis for the balancing of power.

The queen at mass, devoted

how carefully her hands are folded

uplifted chin, she tongues the bread

indifferent now to being fed

in brief hiatus from the bidding of her king

she prays, she longs: to be sitting on a swing.