To Be King

Sutherland, Graham Vivian; The Deposition; The Fitzwilliam Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-deposition-4484

No-one wants to be the king.

The crown cuts deep,

And he is weighed down by a garish robe.

 

No-one wants to be king.

His subjects brandish green swords.

Some cheer as he arrives, many more applaud his deposition.

 

No-one wants to be king.

The bread at his table is coarse,

The wine is bitter.

 

No-one wants to be the king

As he’s hoisted heavenward on a wooden throne

With his court of thieves.

 

No-one wants to be king,

And the crowd ignore his dirge:

“Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani!”

 

A dynasty ends,

A palace crumbles

And a temple is built in its place.