Iron and Clay

Awake on the pillow at dawn
Prince of power equips hunger
Plagued by cravings boundless nature
Rise, unexpected war monger

Curtain shudders by the window
Wind sweeps hill, filling his nostrils
He inspects the swarming masses
Soldiers await his false-gospel

Inspecting his mirrored image
His face beams with haughty pleasure
His father’s work has become his
Soon the world will feel his pressure

Is it so hard for commoners
To believe men still lie awake
Dreaming how they might rule the world?
He smiles at the de-rattled snake

Without warning he’s dangerous
Plan forming over centuries
Another year following plan?
Won’t wait to destroy enemies

Just look at those ants, his pride swells
See how they despise their future?
They throw freedom away freely
Lacking, they bleat for a ruler

Copyright © 2020 by Matt Antis. Originally published in Poet’s Guild’s Poem-A-Day on December 30, 2020, by Ink Jot Kingdom.