Once A King Grew So Weary

once a king grew so weary
of the banal tears

of those around him
that he retired to a peak

to watch the dawn wash
away his disenchantment

but he heard the lamentations
of one in such agony

that the rivers cried
at his slightest glance

so the sovereign called the man
to his side where he took up

a mirror which illuminated
the anguish and darkness

until the king shattered
his reflection into a thousand

pieces and together they watched
the shards turn into birds

that flew into the smoky air
where shadow and light become one