To See the Queen

Since I was the one who had been ill, it was me she came to see.

Everyone wanted a glimpse of her.

The people emerged from their houses toward mine

and with such caution.

They made a visor of their hands.

It was as if they were to be accounted for,

wading the long uphill, little moving triangles

all I could distinguish at first.

But the queen came to see only me and I saw her.

And my life for a while was dismissed

and so repaired.