Fool

Deception lies in the jester
with his jangling, colorful crown
dancing with pseudo abandon
drawing the royalty round
queens can't contain cackling
kings remark on his skill
yesterday juggling oranges
today, the royal guards steel
he heightens the frenzy in stages
two blades, then four, then six
one for each of the monarchs.
he strikes with a flick of his wrist
the cackling queens die laughing
kings hearts, excised from their chest
knights, pages and princess
bleeding red like the rest

He has entertained through the ages
living by one morbid rule
laugh if you must at the jester
but never think him a fool.

©2010