The banished king returns

each week a new pint of lager

watch the golden bubbles rise 

billfolds spill luxury cheese

and onion at your feet resplendent 

now that’s bleach for you.

Arrived too late for an unfixed heart

pulmonary in his prime slowed to

a thick trickle on stage hands

formed a cross looks upward

shavasana out through the window

each lateral gestation swipes out

for botanic shade the hothouse ghost

wheeled round demure one leather 

had clasps a cane your empire

came this way fruiting delusion

out of book shop vibrations

the rarefied airs career poets

breath so well.

 

Carved faces no maybe book ends

evaporate make cordial balm

darkening rust crumbs from the table 

a black dog grins human like

rough stems recoil from greenhouse 

heat hovering moon isle seek

majestic biscuit sift billow roll

turn side extend

and release.