30:30 2013 - 14

Last of the Proms

Passion play to teach a world of men,
borne to the stage in temporary best--
father's T-bird, Kleenex limousine,
flowers safety pinned to slapdash dress.

The way occasion drowns the practiced life,
portrait smiles like geese poised for gavage.
A king not born, but chosen like a wife;
a queen roughed into yearbook decoupage.

The catered desk, the ceaseless formal drift--
this is the funeral, moonwalked back.
The leaving demanding they have not left
with a pageant to hallow and distract

the meaning of all human elegance:
the body undressed by other hands.