A Royal Tale

All the wonders of the Earth

can never define the true worth

of being a noble king,

who sits on his throne and watched his subjects bring him

gold.

The king sits on his throne,

forever growing old.

He does not see below his feet,

dangling from his velvet seat.

He is alone but for money

and that is all his people bring.

It is a sad life, that of my king.

Every day they bring me gold; every day I grow old.

I used to play and dance and even sing,

but now I am older and still I have no queen,

who would watch me dance and hear me sing.

"Guards, find me a queen!"

I cannot believe the self-absorbed king!

He wants me to be his queen!

I will never agree to marry he,

who lounges day and night like a dragon on his hoard.

I will not be a nursemaid to coddle this child I see.

I will not be his queen, chained to him in misery for all eternity!

She refused my offer of marriage . . .

my advisor advised me to use force or bribes.

I did not see point in involving more lies

for a woman I have never met,

but I need a queen nevertheless.

His endless riches have now bought a lady I once knew.

She told me I was a fool

for not taking his offer, submitting to his rule.

I wonder, maybe the king once was nice?

cherished by all and charitable too.

Today I found a new queen,

She is pretty and young and serene.

Yet there is doubt blossoming fresh in my mind,

I have not seen my kingdom in some time.

I begin wonder, how fares my land?

Today, he made his way

down into the market, in broad daylight.

We met for a mere instant

and our eyes met . . .

Then his queen pulled him away

to spend the rest of their time below

out of his people's way.

I am a sad and pitiful king,

who knew what misery my life could bring?

I do nothing for my people; I do nothing for anyone but me.

I have become sickened by myself and devoted to change.

Maybe I can be a better being?

The king came back to the market today,

disguised as a poor peddler.

He lived as his people live for a day

and I regained hope that didn't exist yesterday.

Maybe he is making his way out of the fray?

Today I lived the life of the people

and it was enchanting and exciting . . . and different.

I have been a fool and now I have seen

life from a different point of being.

I was a fool and perhaps I am now,

but I cannot express my joy enough at seeing the world.

He's come back thrice now

to the marketplace.

The king has changed, but very fast,

Who knows how long this will last?

He could've been my king

if he came, and not his guards asked.

My queen is displeased with my changes.

She wants me back how I was

sad and sorrowful,

but I say, no!

Can't you see? I love it!

Not being a king.

Being me!

My king now rules with a fair hand

throughout the land.

It is said

that he is as gentle as a lamb,

but as loyal and fierce as a lion.

I love my king because of who he can be

when not living on a dragon's hoard.

But I am no queen…

Yet fate wants me to be.