Duty Bound

A poem about being a compliant child.

The king and the queen have desires inside
and impose their will on their flagship with pride.
Bent to their influence, I sail out with the tide
My bearing is chosen, not for me to decide.

Flying my colors up high all buttoned and pressed
I go through the motions like a captain possessed.
Navigating the waters from my vessel's crow's nest
I scan the horizon for the promised conquest.

I see nothing but waves and more ocean ahead
and reflect back to the maps and the charts that I read.
It is then that I realize that I have suffered and bled
for this journey in a ship made of lead.

I reverse my course to a homeward direction
and raise my sails to get the fastest trajection.
I grit my teeth and with deep introspection
declare this voyage was not my selection.

I reach my home port, all leathered and gray
I anchor my vessel in the beautiful bay.
I approach the throne room, but to my bitter dismay
The king and the queen have long gone away.