Moment of Truth

The mongoose is in the Observatory,
scampering about, waiting his moment.
The Princess is tracking the suitor down
through a spyglass. He scurries to hide in
sorrel braids. Now his deadline has become hers…
The clock strikes! A tumultuous shattering …
her scream breaks each window in the palace.
Distracted, she feels the mongoose in her hair
and flings it to oblivion: "OUT OF MY SIGHT!'
He flees back to the spring, his own body…
Soon he's looking sharp in a brown suede suit,
hair slicked back, ready for his third visit —
this time to claim his fuming prize. He'll act
modest, with perhaps a hint of apology…
But above all, he will keep his nerve.