1973 :: (iv)

the king you know
doesn’t just occasionally
visit the village

he has a secret lover
gladys
in the council house
at number 43

i don’t mean
his charlesness
the king of england
oh no

i mean
the royal kenneth
the one and ancient
king of the fairies

which is why
his lover at number 43
has to kept a secret
for she’s a she

which is why
you must ignore
her glitter   her tiara
her elegant finery
her manicured nose

should you see her
on the street
on her way
to a job
cleaning someone’s house

which is why
if she misses
some dust
in the corner
you must be nice & polite

so he’ll allow you
to keep
your firstborn