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.