Poet And A Nobleman Poem by Pushpa Ratnayake

Long ago in a wealthy kingdom
famous nobleman shining in gold
surrounded by servitors carried by slaves
met a young man clad in weathered clothes

O' young man, you look miserable
tell me your grief I can heal you
I am the wealth, I am the power
I am the law, my word is the decree

Praise your words O' noble ruler
I am only a traveller, possess no gold
dine whatever I get, sleep under the stars
yet I am rich, richer than a king

Shaken by the brave words, sensing a threat
surprised above all, nobleman enquired
O' young man, you are a mystery
what you said me out of my grasp

You have no land, you have no horses
you have no slaves, you have no gold
yet you are rich, richer than a king
ease my suspense tell me your trade

I am a poet, I write poems, verses and sonnets
voice of the poor, strength to the weak
healing their hearts relieving their pain
that is my trade, where my wealth lies

You are a clever man, O' young traveller
but not a wise one, trust my words
be little smart, be little clever
exchange wisdom to gain your wealth

Set your price right let them pay
what is your gain healing the poor?
what is in return easing their pain?
don't be naive, put your worth forward

O' wise ruler, pardon my words
forgive my thoughts, pray mercy on me
I write poems, I write sonnets, I write verses
I write for them, the poor and the feeble

They are not for trade, no price for them
I write for the poor, they are the owners
I chant with them, that is my honour
they are priceless no gold can buy

Annoyed and irritated, the nobleman yelled
you are telling me no price for your verses
believe me young man, nothing is free
price for everything in this whole world






Price is not my theme, I honour values
value is everything, it is not in gold
let me explain if you will allow me
the poet replied with mild smile

Pointing to a little girl playing on the riverbank
laughing like chime, running like a butterfly
watching fish in the water following the rolling waves
that girl my lord, what is your price?

Girl is charming I have no doubt
what is the use?She is too young
no use in the house, not in the fields
it is a burden, no value for me

To me my lord, allow me to tell you
sound of her singing more prized than gold
no wealth in the kingdom matches her charm
that girl my lord, precious more than the whole world

Discussion continues until the dusk
time to depart the poet announced
time to separate the lord agreed
saluting the lord the poet set off

You young traveller, forgotten something?
the lord yelledwith a wide smile
where is your daughter, laughs like a chime
runs like a butterfly, precious than the whole world?

The poet replied O' my lord let me explain
You are mistaken, that is not my daughter
she is a stranger, never seen before
I love whole world, I am a poet.