Divine Right

[Hawkman]

Should I select the leader who will rule
Or trust to fate, whose choice is often cruel?
For if I back a man who seeks a throne
He’ll plunder all our wealth to make his own.
Do thoughts of service motivate his heart;
Is short-term gain and profit all his art?
For such as he the tenure is too short
And schemes and stratagems will count for nought.
No five year plan allows the realm to heal
When thieves just smash and grab but do not feel.
A monarch though is trained from birth to care,
Custodian of lands to which he’s heir.
When continuity and purpose drive,
Both lowly citizens and subjects thrive.

[hillwalker]

A sonnet in praise of the monarchy - hmm. I admire the craft of the sonnet if not the sentiment. :-)

H

[jajdude]

Good one. The current 'Form Poetry Contest' is for a Shakespearean sonnet if ya wanna add one.

[Twota]

Awesome!

[AuntShecky]

It may be an old chestnut, but it's no lie that "you learn something new every day." I didn't know that a group of 7rhyming couplets could be a true sonnet, but sure enough,
I was wrong again. Here's an illustrious precedent (http://tom.ledger.name/sonnet/126).

Speaking of literary giants, early in the century just past Ezra Pound wrote these lines:

All men, in law, are equals.
Free of Peisistratus,
We choose a knave or an eunuch
To rule over us.

Though mindful that discussion of politiks is verboten, I can think of quite a few rulers of the past couple decades who fit either category.

But this piece seems to espouse the monarchy above all other species of leaders. Even though you're a traditionalist--and fortunately so!--I strongly suspect that
this piece is ironic, no?

[Hawkman]

hill, Thanks! I promise to attend the occasion of your hanging, drawing and quartering and shed a tear for you :D

jajdude: glad you appreciated it. I may serve one up for the comp if I've time.

Twota: Cheers!

Auntie: Glad it meets with your approval :) only a hint of irony though, for indeed, the metal in my words is ferrous, but tempered only by saliva (caused by my tongue lurking firmly in my cheek.)

Live and be well - H

[hillwalker]

Thanks Hawk - I can't help it. There's a bit of Owain Glyndwr in my genes, see.
H

[Hawkman]

Owain is your prince, not your president :D

[Haunted]

I have to say, the form and sound reigns supreme in this sonnet.

[Hawkman]

Thanks Haunted, glad you like it :)

Live and be well - H