Distant outpost

The King decided
one fine autumn day...
to tour his vast
vast empire
...from outpost
to outpost fort
to fort with his cohorts
With pomp and ceremony
...he was greeted
by governors manning
beautiful abodes
.....for the king
was pleased

Then he saddled up
...his swiftest horse
and went off riding
mile after mile
leaving pomp
...in the dust

He stopped on a hilltop
...and strained his eyes to see
The very most distant
outpost of his empire
....he slowly approached
the rickety hut
and was swiftly attacked
...by a haggard brute
who'd been handed this job
...generations ago
by those that remembered

And the King grabbed him
in a hug and overcome
....with emotion
whispered~ it's ok... It's me
your King....

and entered his meager hut...
...exclaiming "you are the true heroes of my kingdom

you, that haggard
generation that mans
...the very most
distant outposts
.......of my vast empire



.