Regroup

King wants Queen to amuse him

Pique his interest

Man alive,

just set a scene or invent one

King wants to drink together

Hear some music. Pierce the edges between them

King is shot down in powerless flames

King sees lethargy in corners

deducing their moment has gone

Malaise moves to the room’s centre

all tensed up

and a little, grotesque blade

cuts King’s level

King’s skin

King’s lee

They regroup

They reduce life by

learning that weekends are made for waiving time

Pressing clothes flat with an iron

Watching the screen play black and white films

When Bogart says

Of All The Gin Joints In All The Towns In All The World, She Walks Into Mine

they respond by saying It’s only a film