Lizard Kings

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Between two lands of mountain mist 
There lies the lower plain 
Where bone-dry desert sands exist 
In constant need of rain. 
Yet still proud creatures work and play 
Upon cracked earth each sun-drenched day. 

The leather-lizzards, long and gray, 
Claim ancient history 
Entitles them to lead the way 
As desert royalty; 
But creature discontent prevails 
From slither-snakes to slow pace snails. 

Society's contentment fails 
When creatures can't agree 
On what good governing entails 
Beyond democracy; 
The highest form of tolerance 
Ensures a neutral governance. 

Equality with permanance 
For creatures great and small 
Engenders peaceful countenance 
Among the creatures all. 
This balance must be guaranteed 
As peaceful coexistent's need. 

Each individual creature's creed 
Evokes complexity. 
Adaptive skills mark every breed 
With ingenuity; 
Sure-footed misty mountain sheep 
To prarie dogs who burrow deep. 

Each predator allowed to keep 
No more than is its due; 
So every creature then will reap 
Survival's gift anew 
Without a lizard as their king 
And all the discontent king's bring.




Author Notes
This poem is a sextet. The first four lines 
are written in 8/6 ballad form with an abab 
rhyme scheme. The last two lines are written 
as a tetrameter (8 syllables) rhyming couplet. 
The couplet rhyme is carried on to the the next 
stanza as the rhyme in lines 1 and 3. Hope 
you enjoy this inadequate nod to George Orwell
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace