The Poetry Lounge
A Refuge for Rhyme and Reason.

The Forgetful Monarch

Poem Illustration
In a world where power and leadership are often celebrated for their clarity and vision, The Forgetful Monarch presents a poignant exploration of a once-mighty ruler now lost in the shadow of his former glory. This sonnet delves into the internal and external landscapes of a king who finds himself adrift in his own realm, grappling with the fading, almost ghostly memory of his authority and purpose. As the halls of his palace echo with whispers of doubt, we witness the poignant struggle of a leader whose crown feels more like a burden than a symbol of power.
In corridors where influence does reign,
A leader stands, his mission now obscured,
To govern, yet he struggles with the strain,
His role diminished, by time's cruelties endured.

Once known for might, now only echoes faint,
His name should hold esteem but brings delay,
The victories, the glory, now just paint
A portrait of a chief in disarray.

He should have flown from eagles' lofty peaks,
Instead, he finds himself in realms bizarre,
His eyes search for what his purpose seeks,
A recollection, a spark, from afar.

The people observe, with murmurs all around,
A ruler in his place, yet lost, not found.
                

William Somero