The Mad King

Something one of my novel worlds poked to life.

The crushing weight of duty
Like irons weighing down
The love of kin and country
Pile lead upon the crown.

While his heart seeks out an answer
His mind is giving in.
Not to pride or to hubris
Nor to bright and tempting sin.

No his mind breaks with knowledge
Of home and hearth and soul
Each valley, hill, and tussock
Makes complaint and takes its toll.

Each suffering, every burden
Flows toward the throne
Every pain and every sorrow
Makes its burden known.

But kings on earth are mortal
And cannot match the king above.
So great and crushing burden
Is killing him through love.

Yet as he does his duty,
With stubborn heart and will
One day will come another
Who can bear the burden still.

No stranger to the burden
No battled foreign foe
His blood will come in mercy
And to the burden grow.

Dreaming in Plot