The Tyrant

[swaminathan]

I bear the load of a hundred sacks,
But still I live in dark barracks,
The tyrant makes me work day and and night,
In fear of rebuke, I dare not even cry.
The Tyrant calls me a ruddy servant,
If I try to flee, I am a bloody criminal,
My pride is held hostage,
I'm flogged hard, without any grace.
I remember the day I tried to flee,
The Tyrant caught me, in the Banyan Tree.
Dismal was the consequence,
I was beaten by guards who came in sequence

I have grown old, have stopped trying.
He too has grown old, has become understanding.
Now he gives me four square meals.
I don't try to make any deals.......

The Tyrant was on his death bed,
He did call me, and said,
Forgive me, for all my evil deeds.
His will, I tried to read,
I read the will, I gaped,
A white cloth around 'The Tyrant' was draped.