The jester waits most nervously to entertain the king.
Jingles jiggling from his hat at what this day will bring.
His fine bright colors, his turned up shoes
His painted smile but a ruse.
.
He hides behind the tapestry that's hung to hide the door
That leads out to the commons where the subjects there are poor.
But the king, he wants to be amused,
And the jester prays to be excused.
.
But commanded, he must wait as the entertainers go
To dance and sing, to weave a tale, a fate he soon will know.
The fire breather at the stage,
His hair on fire, is all the rage.
.
A songtress in a gown of pearl sings a sad sweet song.
But the king displeased, waves her off, her tempo is all wrong.
The dancers work to move their hips,
The king aroused just licks his lips.
.
Then with a shove from behind he's thrust into his act
And tumbling head 'or heels, before he can react
He tumbles right into the king,
The crowd is hushed, what will this bring?
.
The king in all his velvet, crown askew, now just sees red
And with an angry wave of hand he growls, "Off with his head!"
The court glad with the price to pay,
The best entertainment of the day.
.
The jester sees he has one chance to change the royal mind
And yet might actually be relieved to leave this daily grind.
With a smile, adjusting his jingle bells just so
He plays a tune upon his hat, his face strangely aglow.
.
The king amazed that the jester still with smile upon his face
Has got the nerve to jingle here standing in this place.
And to his guards repeats what it is that he has said,
"Take this jester out of here and bring me back his head!"
.
The deed is done and the jesters head is placed before the king
His jester's hat still perched atop with jingles jingling.
But the king in his dark decree can never put an end
To the smile upon his painted face no longer just pretend.

10/25/2001

Posted on 10/25/2001
Copyright © 2025 Mary Ellen Smith