The Bellwether Poem by Shrutika Nagpal

The bellwether
Can lead in any weather
If he is woebegone
It is because his soul is gone
He searches for someone to objurgate
Instead he finds endless time to ruminate
Only to realize that the ship will float
It is, after all, more than a measly boat.
He looks for people to lionize him
He looks for those ready to inveigle him
As he walks
He mocks
The lack of those who are obsequious
Who trusted him and his power that was ubiquitous.
Then the nefarious truth
Bares down upon him, the elite uncouth:
He thrived upon their subservience
The dearth of which plunged him into ruthless turbulence
He was hardly a man
Let alone one with a plan
They looked up to him
He looked down upon them
The vicious cycle continued
Somehow not turning into a violent feud.
But now, they're gone, don't you see?
And now he's alone, and lonely.
He isn't accustomed to solitude
Primarily to unconditional gratitude.
Learn from his unforgivable mistake
Learn to give and take
Know that they too have minds
Though of very disparate kinds.
Do not forsake
That though they make
It seem as if you are the only driving force
They possess at least one alternate recourse.
And if they happen to forget that you are meant to lead
You will be wanting much more than you will ever need.
Their service may not be fallible
Just as your command is not indelible.
You may provide to them an afflatus
But in desperation, you may become their only apparatus.
Hunger supersedes power, after all.
It dissolves the cry of those who may fall.
Listen, my friends, and learn.
Your opinion about yourself this may just turn
It may seem easy to dominate
But its just as easy for the submissive to abominate.