Wendy & Betsy

WENDY: Signs of contemptible times!
BETSY: You still dance with an arm to your side?
WENDY: Our hands to be empty & still
Asleep on the windowsill if it be your will--

BETSY: Is last winter's prize winning
Norwegian Forest outside!?
Could I try on your lilac dress?
Wendy? {{{light of my life!}}}}
(and you know the rest)

So I take from your stare
You’ve got a lesson in there?
WENDY: Well they say the Institute made
A perfected replica blade for the Ancient of Days

BETSY: While you dial the priest I’ll tell Princess to try the police--
WENDY: We could start the 3rd World War!
BETSY: But then what good would scripture be for?

[An absence of calm in the air as the temperature fell
On the new concierge at the Carriage Hotel]
WENDY: Word has it the younger McKim girl’s not well...
BETSY: ...you remember that story with the mermaid and the actor?
WENDY: Betsy, the bones of the prophets we saw!
The mob throwing stones at the Bethlehem wall!
BETSY: [in grandiose tones, raising right paw
In Jacques Louis David Tennis Court Oath gesture]

All joking aside, five fingers wide
Should the bed of the bride be despair
Tell your parents it’s true
Though I’d never physically hurt you
I do know some Arabic prayers
But I left what was left of my self-respect
Like a Swiss army knife on the ground
And a pocket of coins at the IDF checkpoint
By what some call ‘the Temple Mount.’