III  (Sham Death of a Minor Shakespearean)


  
 "I die for the glory of the light and
 the majesty of Apollo!" – he cried
 – drifting slowly, fastidiously,
 to the floorboard bedside.

  
 Head flat against the hard oak
 neither he nor audience could tell
 if it was by his own hand
 or by another's, that he fell.

  
 Only that the heavy thunder, the light ringing
 washing through his skull was not applause,
 but penetrating phantom fingers
 of the black – sable – nurse of darkness.
      
                                  5.27.96