The King And His Dream Poem by Kesav Venkat Easwaran

The king summoned his friend, dear, and told him
'You now come with me
To the forest to fulfill a task
Nothing more now you ask'

They set out on their horse the best
Rode past beyond the town, its walls,
Beyond the markets, dwelling halls,
Towards some distant land

Throughout the ride, the king looked grave, hasty-
kept silent yet composed
It didn't surprise his friend at all
For he knew his master most

Riding through the thick forest
They reached a barren valley side
A place-far off inside their land-
Outside the friend's knowledge

That valley looked deserted, dry,
Forlorn, wore a mark weird
Not a semblance of grass or green,
Seen a few huts sheared

The king got down, gestured to his friend
To follow his footsteps as if
He knew the place and entered a hut,
His friend obeyed the chief

There they saw a maiden weep aloud,
Lying on the muddy floor,
She was wearing a dirty cloth
Pathetic sight hers-sore

The king gestured to his friend whereon
He asked the woman in a brief
'What for, O maiden, you cry this far?
What causes you to grieve? '

'Oh! What to tell, the maiden said,
We live in utter poverty
No rain, no food for months over-
Life's ferocity

Famine drought and pandemic
Months long here ensued
Not even a drop of good water
No need to speak of food,

I lost my children a few days back
And my man died last night
What horror is my life!
Now, what for I must live? '

Glancing at them, she said again,
You both look noble decent rich
What has brought you here- not known
In this place of bad luck, witched

'Here you see your king! ' he said,
I am his friend and deputy
You indeed lost, but you must live
Come back to serenity,

The king will see to bring you peace
Give your people the help to thrive
To make your place far more distress-free
His team will soon arrive'

The king nodded and waved his hands
They then came out and retraced their path
Reached over to the waiting colts
Set out to the palace back

After they rode a distance short
The king opened his mouth -thus spoke
'In my dream', he told his friend
'I was her man last night! '

September 22,2021