Crown Of Thorns

Cloning the emperor,

assuming the throne

knighted impostor,

unregally grown

With hell for a kingdom,

his scepter ignites 

flames burning memory,

a mirror’s delight

The queen held for ransom,

 a prince in his bed

jester on fire,

all subjects rebled 

A rival approaches,

the bishop a swan

his guillotine royal

—beheaded in song

(Beaupre: November, 2021)