When I was first crowned in ivory
I assumed that knowledge
would come with the jewels
and the servants
and the velvet throne.
The pearl scepter they placed
in my hand
would surely wield power
and turn the tides to justice.
There was no wrong to be done
with a crown atop my head.

When I was first crowned in ivory
it didn’t once cross my mind
that simply smiling and stamping scrolls
in the back of court wasn’t enough
to preserve the peace.
Sitting upon a throne
did not render me all-knowing,
and the scepter I waved
was no more than a sumptuous stick.
There were too many arrogant thoughts to be filled
with a crown atop my head.