The Queen of Time

THE QUEEN OF TIME by Val Valdez July 2002

Once, but only once, upon a time
In a land made out of wealth and rhyme,
Lived a Queen at her peak and prime
Who made the most out of every dime.

Then a prophet foretold her fate,
“You’re doomed to die before your time.
So hear me now before it’s too late.
I beg of you, drink this brew to remain anew.
Your life will change forever more.
Of this I am certain and so I implore.”

The Queen’s council begged her not to succumb
To the sinister advice of such a bum.
But the Queen, too weak, by her own accord
Drank quickly and asked for more.

Suddenly the earth did move
And opened up to reveal a groove.
Swiftly the Queen slid down
Before the eyes of the startled town.
Past fire, smoke, grit, and slime
Straight down to the center of time.

Deep in the cavern cold and dank,
The Queen’s poor heart trembled and sank.
In the darkness she saw no forms
But she heard the cries and mourn.

Buried in the shadows of her new domain
She reminded herself that she remained
A Queen of stature, power and fame
Never knowing of guilt or shame.

And so with each step her fears subsided.
Gaining in courage, she then decided
To proclaim her presence to the darkness and rot.
“I am a Queen and I fear you not.
Kneel before me one and all.
Compared to me even the gods are small.”

A hush grew as the darkness stilled.
Then a voice replied, “Enter now and surrender your will.”
Suddenly the earth’s walls opened wide
And the Queen was beckoned to step inside.

Memories of her past, present and beyond
Flooded her mind and caused her alarm.
She opened her eyes and stared ahead
And the visions she saw filled her with dread.

The wings of angels passed by her face
While the sound of tears filled the space.
Above the crowd with looks of disgrace
The children of men stood in place.

“Your time before us now is due.
You can hide no more from the truth you knew.
Your life so rich in amazing ways,
But you focused instead on the fog and the haze."
The Queen then boldly proclaimed,
"I am a Queen of stature, power and fame.
This punishment I will not accept.
Tell me, what crime did I commit?”

Came the reply, “For never knowing guilt or shame.
Wealth beyond gold was not the aim
Of your life so abundant in wondrous ways.
For you had the vision to see past the fog and haze.”

So, an eternity of humility and nothing more,
And your soul to keep for you to explore.
Unless you reclaim the right to start anew.
Then judgment here will be held from you.

Abandon all that you knew
Then your time before us will be through.
Replenish your spirit in the children of men.
Keep safe your soul to make amends.
Welcome the cries and mourn
Of each brother as your own.

Feel the wings of angels upon your face.
Know guilt and shame as a grace.
Cherish this life in wondrous ways.
See through the fog and the haze."

The Queen’s eyes darkened then whispered,
“I cannot forsake all that you ask.
For me the future lies in my past.
So, a Queen I must remain.
It is my god, it is my name.”

Upon the earth the town grew small.
The Queen was remembered for a while, then not at all.
No one recalled her power or fame.
Soon was forgotten even her name.

The wings of angels still pass by her face.
While the children of men silently fill the space.
The Queen of Time stands alone
Hearing the cries and mourns
But now she knows them as her own.