my sweet Captain. Remember
the night your dirigible bumbled

into my tower by mistake; sugar sugar
you nibbled your way through

my petticoat igloo. & tipsied me.
When they sent you away from

my cloud palace, I distilled
myself watching my lap dogs, Cherry

Asunder and Bonbonmoncheri, swim
laps in the royal thimble. I plotted.

At princess school I learned
how to bruise easily into the shapes

of forgiveness. For good measure
I opened a can of peons and rose wilt

every day, smiled benignly. But
all is not lost, my Lovely.

I have been recycling wish-expired
eyelashes & collecting Etc.s

for my mustache disguise. My faithful
serpent has entwined the lines

of the guards’ parachutes. But mine
is willing. Next Tuesday, at the precise

moment a shuttlecock flies against the moon
raise up your hands, my Lord. Snatch me from the sky.
 
 
—for Kevin