The Baffled King

The baffled King
He came to me.
Might have been
in a dream
or in a park.
Either way
it was after dark.

He trembled
As He stroked His beard.
told me all
the things He feared.

Then He stood
and He just stared.
He stared and stared
stared and stared.

The wind it slowed
to a stop.
When it did
to His knees He dropped
and sobbed and sobbed
sobbed and sobbed.

I fell beside Him
wiped His tears.
Repeated back
all His fears.
Told Him that
despite His years
the child still laughed
within Him.

The King lifted His head
and then His hand.
I grabbed it tight
to help Him stand.
He broke a smile
then a hearty laugh.

Apologized
for being meek.
Leaned into me
and kissed my cheek.
Laid His hand
upon my shoulder.
The kindly King
looked much bolder.
He turned back,
from where He came
and I fell to slumber
once again.