|
They Were Legion
by Philip F De Pinto
They were legion
Who appeared jubilant and huddled in a tree
And I who lay at the tree's foot
Was neither jubilant nor huddled with any of my own species
As were these
And the reigning monarch of leaves looked down
And mocked my lone condition
And the wind taking pity
Culled and portioned unto me a leaf
From the bundle on the tree to huddle with me
Then another and another
Until all the leaves save the one despotic
Were huddled with me
Needless to tell I no longer sensed I was human or solitary
But we were legion huddled at the base of the tree
From whose gathering and with much reluctance
I emerged as the new reigning monarch
And yet - as one predisposed always to serve - never to rule
I looked up at the previous ruler
And his lone condition and did not mock
But rather took pity and not like the wind - but conservator
With thread and needle and an acute recollection of where each leaf belonged
Restored each to its particular branch
Where they would have remained manning their windy stations
Save these leaves - having gotten a taste
And relishing the notion of being huddled other than with tyranny
Wiggled free and all came tumbling down once more
Including the one who wearied of his own despotism
And would abdicate as a means
Of being part of a jubilant bunch
Distinguished from fear and trembling
10/25/2015 Posted on 10/25/2015
Copyright © 2025 Philip F De Pinto
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 10/25/15 at 03:55 PM I remember why I was missing you here on Pathetic as there has been a paucity of Philip lately. This is brilliant from beginning to end - loved the use of jubilant and huddled and despotic and the wonderful juxtaposition of who felt alone and why. Such a flow and story telling to this. My new favorite. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Shaw on 11/20/15 at 05:19 PM This is so playful as per usual with you... how it bats the reader about with its calico paw, and dear monarch what a melting pot of colour it evokes. Ditto with Kristina; I too have missed your words. Thank you for sharing them dear Philip |
| 
