Poem - The King

The King

Once

There lived a King

Surrounded by splendor

In his castle

At his bidding

The royal banquet table

Was filled

With foods from

Every country

The Royal stable was kept

With horses

And carriages

And courtiers

To open

And close

The stable doors

For the Kings

Royal travels

Palatial grounds

Were groomed

With exquisite beauty

For the King's 

Daily walks

And enjoyment

At his bidding

The land’s

Finest entertainers

And court jesters

Rehearsed laboriously

Preparing fantastic

Performances

For

The King. 

The castle was filled

With hot and cold

Running water.

A hot bath

At the King's bidding...

The utmost 

In luxury

In the King's

Royal Chambers. 

High counsel 

to convene 

Upon command,

And high tea

To ensue

Thereafter.

Mountains of gifts.

At his bidding…

Charming interchanges

Within the walls of the kingdom

And a royal nap

If He should so

Choose. 

Everything

At the fingertips of the King

Regal and comfortable 

raiment...

The royal fly rod

The royal airliner

And pilots

Charged instantly

On his royal MasterCard

If he should choose to go

To the islands

For his annual

Royal travel

Worldwide telephone

For pennies

For yes ,

Surprise!

It is you

Who are 

The King.

                                             -Barry Sweet 10-19-1999