The Eternal Conflict

The raconteur had come to town, old and weak and wise,
His famed tales of love and loss, were morals in disguise,

His tales cast a spell on men, it tamed even the most violent,
“There once was a King", he began, the rowdy crowd grew silent,

“The King fancied a maiden, and he saw her in every blink,
Prettier than the stars she was", he remarked with a wink.

“The King was in a puzzle as he had never felt so before,
Had never been in love this madly, the maiden he did adore.

He summoned his subjects and questioned them, "What am I to do?",
The clever Minister and the humble Priest, came up with solutions two.

“Tell her at once my King; tell her before it's too late!"
Said the Priest to the puzzled King: “Meeting her was fate!

Tell her she's on your mind and that your senses belong to her,
That she is all you can see, while everything else is a blur,

Tell her she's all you can hear, her voice as quiet as the night,
That she is all you can feel, her touch so soft and light,

Tell her she is all you can taste, that her kisses linger forever,
That she is all you can smell, her scent haunts like a fever

“Yes," said the love-struck King, “This is what I must do,
Pardon me if I use your words, for to my mind come just a few."

“Stop my King, but this is madness, a sheer waste of time,
Do not hope to win a heart with hollow words that rhyme,

Be wary and think again", said the Minister with a frown,
“All of this is silly talk, and does not befit your crown!

Endless imaginations, believe me Sir, will change who you are,
The wait for her will drive you loony, or maybe leave a scar,

What if she doesn't feel the same? Or what if she says nay?
What if she is very shy and your boldness scares her away?

Tell her not of how you feel, and spare yourself the pain,
Make no effort to woo her now, for it will all be in vain!"

“The Minister's advice seems wiser, I must listen to him,
Maybe I should keep quiet, though my heart feels grim.

But there she is!" exclaimed the King, “Gorgeous as ever!
But who is that, next to her? Is that another lover?

Alas, I was too late; I have now lost her forever!
It pains me just to see her, in love with another."

“And thus ends the King's tale, a sadder one you'll never find,
Instead of following his honest heart, he heeded his fickle mind!"