doing the work

parking lot princes, and/or princesses 

stumble in late...again

they are new clothes naked

as they promenade down the hall

one or two are clothed (phew)

rusty armour

tattered capes trail

swinging their yardstick swords

and rehanging flags

all bang, bluster

and gentle reminders

running from crisis to crisis to crisis

or long lunch laughing

the tired monk 

closes his door

climbs on the oak desk

unscrews the speaker cover

one deft snip

of the intercom wires

doing the work