4/21/25: coronation

 Today's prompt and the poem I am sharing by Andrea Gibson.

simple enough, pass that crown on over
to the next one in line. play some horns.
sing in latin. we're really moving along
now.

        [we have announcers for the color
commenting. the crown is about to be
placed on his head.] "he's really holding
still, like a true monarch."

                                        "but wait, 
he's wrinkling up his nose." "i think
he's about to sneeze." [the sound of
an ordinary sneeze, not yet ordained
by a deity] "the head angle shifted 
just slightly" "yes, that crown is 
definitely missing the mark."

"may the crowner's hand be strong."
[the crown falters to the floor]

simple enough, there is a drone
of mediocre thunder. the crowd 
looks to the timpani player who
is standing at attention. "wasn't 
me."

        another rumble. the angels 
have arrived. moved into a deep scrum.
wings and brows furrowed.

[announcing resumes] "a divine
quorum. this might be an official
review of the proceedings." "do
you suppose this is a challenge
from heaven?"

                        "we haven't seen
one of these in quite some time."
[800 years and it was overruled
from the celestial booth]. "looks
like the head angel is about to 
make a speech." 

                         the angel came
forth, adjusted their halo and
spoke with deep vibrato. 

                            "terra. syrah
                              finale, zoop."

[the crowd does not speak angelic.
a murmur of confusion rises.]

the angel coughs. "oh, sorry.
                                still good."

[the crowd reacts with polite
applause] "well, that's something
of a relief, yeah?" "i suppose it
was pro formo or what have you."

[a king is crowned. the crowd smiles
mews and slaps backs appropriately.]
today, we begin again.