The gate-guard is at special attention

positioned in highland chill

new gold buttons and a collar

hand-twined blanket in a

dejected corner
on the tables, reserve is hung

and the meat devoured with the

finest whiskies teasing the men teasing

supple women; spitting and spilling

archaic laughter
on a plush bed, the bride to be

cries over a set of pearls

and a dress of silk bred in caves

is smeared with salt and kohl
and the glasses bubble in the hall

a relief for the risoriis as the guests

whip to amnesic strings

streaking soil over the marble
for a fortnight, the house will scramble
eat for days lest the good flesh spoils