To a monarch

During a pause in the proceedings when

The judge was in the john, Helena the

Queen twitched her cramped, regal wings and cracked the

Crowded courtroom like a code, or, come to

Think of it, like a smile on hard lips

That otherwise pass sentence.  She clung a

While to her defense not knowing what to

Plead yet pleased enough with her newly sprung

Innocence.  By the time the judge came back

Relieved, he repented his absence in

Recognizing her majesty.  He paid

Obeisance to the extent, at least, that

His position as a public servant

Would permit.  Helena, very still, took

It all in stride.  She then thanked her gathered

Captors graciously, not excessively,

For she had a good hunch that they owed her

Civil liberties.  You know, the legal

Institution will never be the same

Since that split second Her Highness broke out.