Color Is Pride: True Colors

when i was king,

with an aura so royal,

the people would sing

to show they were loyal

my kingdom was endless,

i was young and strong,

my feats were boundless,

and i committed no wrong.

folktales of my favor

were repeatedly told,

my presence was savored,

my touch was gold.

the nights were warm,

the days filled with sun,

success was the norm

in all that i’d done.

but on a warm spring night

my kingdom was severed.

at a single red light,

life changed forever.

the wine made him merry

and had taken his sense

but i had to carry

the dark consequence

the earth was shaken

with the impact so violent

a last breath was taken,

and then i fell silent.

my fire, now an ember,

was not put out yet

i will never remember,

and can never forget

that my body was broken,

my crown was smashed.

each wound a token

of a life that had crashed.

the people wept

and many despaired

for two months i slept

while i was repaired.

my limbs became weak

and my heart grew still

unable to speak,

i looked to the hills

no lavish banquets

in this strange new home,

just days filled with anguish,

as i dined alone.

but a new sun was turning,

breaking the dark.

life was returning

and hope had a spark.

amidst cheer and shout

i returned to my home

choirs rang out,

“reclaim your throne!”

though everyone else

believed i could reign,

i thought to myself,

can i be king again?

my crown’s lost a jewel,

my throne has a crack,

how can i rule

with all that i lack?

the people sent aid

from near and far,

and in serving displayed

the true people they are.

my black and gray world

gained saturation and hue,

love, like paint, swirled

and filled me anew.

it’s been many years

since i made my return

there have been many tears

and lessons learned.

my throne is still twisted

it no longer stands tall,

the arm-rest has lifted

and the gold is now dull.

my crown is history

so too, is my ring,

but i’ve unraveled the mystery

of what makes me a king.

like a circular ring,

this wealth never ends,

for what makes me a king

is my kingdom of friends.