King Jack ruled with iron fist,
kept mortals in his kingdom
from living frivolous lives,
made them account for each coin,
every smile.
Not a benign monarch
who cared for his children,
not a father to his family.
No, King Jack ruled
his kingdom with iron fist,
with whip and weapon.
When clouds gathered
at the horizon,
slowly at first,
piling up and over each other,
dark, threatening –
King Jack ignored the threatening storm.
The people whispered,
hopeful.
They met
in secret,
in wishful whispers.
When the storm broke loose
in all its fury
wind and floods swept King Jack
and his army away,
washed shackles off
his people.
Relieved of the ruthless King
the kingdom breathed a sigh
of relief.
A burden lifted,
a ruler crumpled, faded
because no harshness, no violence,
no threat, no dominance
can foster love.
Long live the Queen.
♦
Margriet Ruurs is the author of 35 books for children. Her newest title is Stepping Stones, A Refugee Family’s Journey (www.steppingstonesthebook.com)
She speak at schools around the world. When she is not traveling she runs Between The Covers, a book-lovers’ B & B on Salt Spring Island, BC (www.betweenthecoversbandb.com)
♦♦♦
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