Six Napkins

Craig Cliff

For Prince Tu’ipelehake & Princess Kaimana

When the Tongan prince and bride
Were driven through the Tongan streets
I learnt the word cortege

My father stands
In the finest dander ever raised.
In his lungs: the cooling air.

On television the wannabe models receive advice:
Don’t let them think you’re thinking

The star is in the office
Answering telephones
With no one to amaze

The longer I wait here
The less I want to hear my name

We clutter under the sun
but the mourning will continue—
some things never arrive.