Command Performance

In her palace by the sea Queen Belafree Is reigning from a tarnished throne, Where mosses, algae, climb her walls Where mildewed, frescoed halls Peel through plaster to old stone; And seagulls scree, waves moan. Yet she holds a lively court, Where clowns cavort, And troubadours sing lilting-sad… And jugglers toss where acrobats Spin cartwheels till they lose their hats, Snatching up the coins she throws… Outside, the waterline just rose! Belafree ignores the tide So high outside, Instead she smiles and starts to speak: “Now dance! The show must never stop!” Heedless that the ceilings creak, As floors commence to sag and leak…