The Decapitated Poet

One day, the faint-hearted chamberlain
Came to Fayrouz Shah,
Ruler of lands and men’s model,
And, stooping, he announced:
“My Lord, a vagrant poet at the door,
A crazy one maybe,
Pretends to foretell the future
And to herald good luck and bliss.
Does your Majesty condescend to be entertained,
For a while, by this destitute, outcast poet?”
A gesture with the sword
And a wink from the eye
Brought the poet before the Shah.
Your Majesty, grant me protection
................................................................
“In a dream I saw your blissful star
A sceptre in your right hand.
Among the earth’s monarchs
You were, your majesty,
The most beauteous of all,
The beau of the ball,
And Time’s subjugator.
When you strike with the sword
Slain heads fall down
Imploring help from the Almighty,
And, all of a sudden, I saw, my Lord,
A bird that looks like a dragon
Or a mountain that hovers over
The Sacred Tent
And from its legendary wings
Trees, horses, rushing streams and lightning fell.
And to my surprise, My lord, I saw,
Your glorious crown, and forgive me for saying so,
Cast into the air
Like a child’s kite.
..............................
Hardly did the destitute poet finish his tale.
A gesture with the sword
And a wink from the eye
And then immediately
The crazy poet’s head
Fell onto the palace floor.

THE DECAPITATED POET