A Far-Off King Poem by Margaret Alice

There comes a moment when a watershed decision
has to be made, crossing the Rubicon: Shall I stay
here in this secret place or openly admit my dis-
grace, head fit to burst, eyes hurt, muscles stiff

Our old friend the allergy acting up, what should I do,
every step I took worsened the situation, I can’t stand
feeling so bad indefinitely; whatever can give relief or
kill me off

Is better than sitting staring at words like 'protocole
d’accord' meaning a 'memorandum of agreement',
though there is many a dream woven in there,
diplomatic relations between

Royalty, the French Ambassador’s Daughter and a far-off
King – but right now, it’s time to act, to get up and go meet
my destiny, whether for better or worse – but sitting here
not a moment longer!