intact, entr'acte

Amar Shah · intact, entr'acte

I asked you,
come, reside and occupy your power,
and you have done and do and did.
No longer
do I guard or guide you, castigate, cajole,
or bribe you, no longer dare I deign to bride you.
No longer dare, demand, nor deign to bride you.

Slowing, lowering my creaky drawbridge,
restoring order to the makeshift barricades,
I take my forehead to the earth and bring
me under
—under—
You wouldn't say this but,
the evil one does not submit...
so I have cast the odium away,
Call me lucky to retain my eyes,
all my body, not my pride.