Portrait Of A King!

Among the peers in his domain, His rivals yet persist, Yet he maintains his royal reign, Such new threats to resist. Now at his best, in all his ways, He sees them come and go, Aware of every subtle gaze As they pass to and fro. He senses every friend may change, To challenge him as well, As if their fortunes to arrange, And then their tales to tell. But he's lost count of every prince Who dared to cross his path, And until now, he always wins, To have the final laugh. Thus, to the victor goes the spoils, And to the king alone, With every challenge that he foils, Remaining on his throne. But one day, Nature takes its course, A better king to find, To take advantage of his flaws, And kingdom reassigned. Denis Martindale, for February 2022. A wildlife poem about a magnificent painting, Portrait Of A King, by UK artist Stephen Gayford.