Bad Omen Poem by Jayatissa K. Liyanage

King, setting out from the castle on to the street
in his usual grandeur, elegance ‘n royal splendor
to enjoy the day in the garden, superfluously beautiful
beholds a pauper walking right up, in front, to his dismay

Bewildered, disgusted and outraged, over bad omen
turns back momentarily, He, in burning rage
Summoned the Royal Highness’s Ministers, Supreme
and orders to get down the ‘culprit’ on street, to his feet

Charging for the wrong doing to His Royal-highness
was ordered, him, to be beheaded right away
Given the last chance to speak, in quivering lips,
And in tears, he murmured, faintly but loud enough

“My Lord, your highness seeing me first thing in the day
Brought so much luck to Your Highness, remain unharmed!
On the other hand, how unlucky I am, to see Your Highness
first thing in the day, and face being beheaded?
May I ask my Lord........ Who is the real Bad Omen, YOU or me? ”