Comb

Jewel of the palace
it is well known
I live for love.

The men recite poetry.
Those who parrot
worldly affairs
I dismiss.

Far from the needful
my life comprises
whims and pearls.

*

My suitors pine
in green gardens.
They work the zither
for honey.

One gifts me a comb
carved from a tusk
of the last elephant.

He sings to me.
I have feathers
in my hair.

*

The creature comes
in a dream. It nooses
its heavy trunk

round my throat. 
Its skin is old 
and dusty.
I don’t change.

@ianjmclachlan