The Wolf King. . .
Voice Card  -  Volume 12  -  Stuart Card Number 3  -  Mon, Feb 5, 1990 10:01 PM

Here is another poem in voice card format, in expectation of John's changes in Archipelago 2.0. This poem is called "How the Wolf Became King: The Aged Genii Continues His Tale." You'll recall from an earlier sonnet that the Duchess of Moisture routed the Geniis, who took refuge in a stand of grapes. The grapes then turned purple with shame at having to shelter such cowards. This poem tells what happens next in this particular narrative thread. [Editor's note: click at left of TEXT to expand text field for easier reading!]

"A wolf gazed at the bloodied city of grape When its gates opened, and geniis jumped from the seedling Onto his back; after fighting the bees in their swirling cave Of honey, after hiding from the stars' hiss, sacking The mountains of daggers braised in moonlight, that lured Them to an ocean where the Dolphin's Citadel of Pearl Approached, the wolf grew powerful and learned Like a lord; draped in human skins he ruled In pity, for he had a beast's heart; and he had a beast's pride, For he ruled with magic; he swam into the air, And he brought this breath; he found Death's city in the underside Of the grass and the roots, and he smuggled your sleep; from there, That west horizon, he found the sun's bedroom; and from the popes And Rabbis who peeked inside, he saw what follows, which came to pass. . ."