So many are dying
it’s good to see Kevin’s
bronze face and white moustache

presenting a picture
of rude elderly health
marrying our Janet

under a flame tree in
the grounds of Government House
on a day in summer.

I wouldn’t care to be
his liver but who knows
it must be up to the task.

Get ready then to hear
a cracker speech, with poem
and reminiscences—

no shortage of words, all
even the ordinary
inflected, inflated

and given (for god’s sake)
life! So yes, celebrate
the bastard. Salute him!