by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2023
(Jun. 23, 2023) — The king reclined upon his throne, his spirits feeling down,
So thus he called his jester in to joke and dance around.
The funny man in stripes and bells quipped all the jokes he knew.
But nothing made the monarch smile, so he declared, “I’m through!
“For years I’ve served your highness fair with everything I could,
With little more to show for it than wages for my food.
“You choose to sit, to mope and pout, and blame folks for your plight,
But it’s yourself who must insist to keep out joy and light.
“I do only what I know, and THAT I do my best.
As for joy, that’s YOUR choice, and all that comes with rest.”
The king was shocked, then found a smile and shook his royal head.
“I must say, you have a point; I’m just as good as dead.
“A pox upon me for a lout, for this I now declare,
‘Tis your bells that should be mine, and you my crown should wear!”