a golden pedestal sits
fifty feet in the air
dangling from a pretty
golden chain encrusted
with sapphires and pearls
which ancient nations laid
at the king’s almighty feet

the monarchy’s reign vanquished
a crumbling palace remains
looted and left to rot among
footfalls of rolling hills

the golden pedestal remains
tarnished by years of neglect
cradling the idealism
of the precarious king’s nation
which patiently awaits the return
of those lost to precious time
ignoring the hills of gravestones below