61800
before the arrival of dawn
the line is already formed from the front gates of the palace door
all along West Broadway
past silent shops
Styrofoam cups of coffee
tea
or bourbon
warm the hands numb from the downtown winds of January
the prince arrives
regally
in his old lady's chipped and dented '77 Eldorado
while his subjects straighten themselves
reverently
silently
file
one
by
one
into the grand hall
he commands much more respect than the politician
the preacher
the policeman
the drug dealer
each man signs his name on a legal pad taped against the blue concrete wall
patiently waiting their turns for their private audiences
the prince bids them welcome
and offers them rest in a large vinyl reclining chair
he will give advice in all matters and affairs from
sports history
human relations
financial matters
automotive preferences
as well as his cures for social
civic
and medical ills
and yet
all the while
he is gingerly
expertly
lovingly
performing a personal service for them
done to their exact specifications
his subjects will not leave the palace gates
the same as when they had first entered
their heads are held higher
and their walk is steady
not noticing
the three inches of fresh snow embracing their bare ankles
with each new step
their pride
becomes as solid as the ice patches along the gutters of Main street
although their wallets have been lightened by ten dollars
they can now face the day
the world
the future
now that their hair has been cut
by the man
they came to see
