The 1880 Incident

Lalla won’t put her paw on the stool

      so Adolf cracks his whip –

too close to her eyelids –

   She swoops to punish him

hanging him on her tusks

      by the belt of his trousers–

dangling him like bunting

        she crashes through the stalls

enjoying  her  wild-time,

        throws him down

and prepares to sit on him

       till Adolf leaps to his feet-

with a few sharp strokes

       brings her back to her senses –