Royal

Ruminating beside
the torches, walling
darkest corners,
leaving orange where
before
was nothing
but secrets and age.

King passes slowly
when he passes
breathes deeply
to remember
when orange
was brighter under
the gaze of
dimming
eyes.

Queen takes
detour to walk solely
in rays of
sun---
the sun Queen, she
once was---
and, when night swallows
blue, she
settles for the hues of
moon.

Prince drinks red wine,
tucked privately with
ladies in
always
waiting
who smell like spring
and are soft like the pillows
he rests his Princely thoughts
on at sunset,
breasts like pillows
of resting for Princely
thoughts. 

Princess has bags
beneath her baby eyes
and sickly skin
and ruminates beside
the torches, walling darkest
corners,
leaving orange
on her face where
before
was nothing.

King passes slowly
when he passes
and touches Princess
hand, peach and
soft, and Prince
quiets lady when the
King breathes deeply--orange
on his purple robe--King
knows what Queen
cannot see
by the bright sun and
white hues
of moon.

Princess prays to be
a vicar when she's aged,
but orange
and torches and
ladies do not find
God when they are
meant to find
throne.