there you stand
candle-head heavy
with the weight
of your crown.

drip drip
and the wax
falls.
drip-drop the sweat of your brow.

there you stand
candle-head bowed,
atlas
of your own design.

do you see him? do you see him?
and the wax
falls
like raindrops on stone ground.

o david
your eyes are proud
and you stoop
under the weight.

o david-god
my words ring
heavy
in your stone ears.

remember? remember?
harp-fingers blazed
free
as the flame

now smothered by
your crown of gold.
o david, david
your god game leaves you stiff.

remember? how we
walked bare-footed
in green grass
and glass-white dew.

remember, remember
and your heart
flutters
like a bird in flight.

pauper king, your crown sits
marble heavy on your
perfect
white brow.

david, david
how does it feel?
isn’t it hard to carry the whole
world?