1 CHILDHOOD

For two days her lineage is in doubt,
then someone deciphers the secret message.
They build a pendulous chamber
for her, and stuff her with sweets.

Workers keep bringing her royal jelly.
She knows nothing of other lives,
about digging in purple crocus
and round dances in the sun.

Poor and frail little rich girl,
she grows immense in her hothouse.
Whenever she tries to stop eating,
they open her mouth and force it down.


2 THE FLIGHT

She marries him in midair;
    for a moment
he is ennobled, a prince.

She gives the signal
    for their embrace,
over too soon. O, nevermore.

Bruised, she drags herself from
    his dead body,
finds her way back exhausted.

She is bathed, curtains are drawn.
    Ten thousand lives
settle inside her belly.

Now to the only labor she knows.
    She remembers
nothing of him, or their fall.


3 THE RECLUSE

They make it plain
her term is over.
No one comes;
they let her starve.

The masses, her children,
whip up sweets
for a young beauty
who is getting fat.

Nothing to do. 
Her ovaries paper,
her sperm sac dust,
she shrivels away.

A crew dissembles
her royal cell.
Outside, a nation
crowns its queen.