(SWAN OR NOTHING BY JOVE, 1997)

FIVE STEPS AHEAD, FOUR BACK ALONG THE FENCE

the wind tears at me, roars: stay back, don’t dare!

– why did god send down such a pestilence

when I’m the masked ball king and hurrying there?!

That effing wind! I wish it wouldn’t squall

holding my hand tight to my mask, pained on

and through the autumn night head for my carnival

wearing my cruellest mask – now that it’s gone