Circus
Come one and all, to witness the renowned
and shocking marriage torture, set by mandate,
in which two people let themselves be bound
together for as long as they can stand it.
Observe behind the female player's veil
her staring eyes, her strained and wooden smile;
observe likewise the trembling of the male
participant as she comes down the aisle.
And now all eyes are on the referee,
who cautions one and all before the bout:
The time is now, before this company,
to speak if any one feels any doubt.
And now the gathered crowd draws in its breath.
Will there be blood? For this one's to the death.
1 June 1979
25 June 1979
25 June 1979
