The Prince and the Fool By Ronald S Porter
Underneath the planting moon the pretender
to the throne wanders through the garden.
Perplexed in intellect, vexed by questions of
sin and salvation, he ponders the price of pardon.
Measuring mercy by his own capacities he feels
the heat of hatred and his heart starts to harden.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, the Jester in motley
hotly anticipates the sequence of events now starting.
Fear-filled, the false prince ponders and frets
over fearsome futures and fatality of fates.
His mind measures his pleasures by the extent
of his treasures, safely secured behind walls and gates.
Everywhere he sees offences, his pretense is
his only defense; threatening enemies he contemplates.
Silent in the trees,The Fool hangs by his knees;
remembers all that he sees as he watches and waits.
There are enemies everywhere, I must be aware!
so thinks he who has ursurped the throne.
All those I can't trust, I must send to the dust lest
a mortal thrust come from some foe unknown.
Yes! he says aloud I will wrap them in shrouds
'til every noble who knows not to fear me is gone.
In a space dark and narrow, The Joker nocks an arrow;
unnoticed and unknown, he has a plan of his own.
The supplanter smiles at his own wiles as he
leans on a stile and admires his signet ring.
out of the dark, the dart finds its mark it pierces
the pretender and he feels death's sting.
He droops down; sees his crown on the ground,
hears the laugh of the clown, then doesn't know anything.
From a cell cold and bare is delivered the rightful heir;
and The Jester alone doth dare to jape, jump and sing.
Copyright © Ron Porter | Year Posted 2012
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