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Instructions for Acting
I. BIT PARTS
Pick up your tempo, courtiers, after the king
exits-like long-beaked birds you must have seen
feeding quickly in the sea's withdrawing, then
scurrying to dry sand when the wave rolls in.
Il. SALLY GIVES IN GRACEFULLY
Now scratching at the window, Sally, comes
your demon lover. Gather at the throat
your sheer white flowing gown. Your fingers fanned
at your lips, your shimmering hair undone, you float
to the casement and unlatch the shutter. Drums
trip at your temples; burning eyes expand
as Henry nimbly vaults across the sill.
A glance around the room, and he pulls you to him,
your spine bending. Your hands, like captured birds,
struggle around the face which snaps its fill
from mouth, cheeks, neck and shoulders. Still no words
as he darkly drives you to the bed and down.
No cries for help, for, after all, you drew him,
as petals ask for digging of the bee.
Accept his scalding crush-though fearfully.
Curtain-as Henry flings aside your gown.
Relax-they have done it this way time out of mind:
same set, same costume, no props of any kind.