“I am a youngster, I should be free”,
This is what Arnold did say to me
As he ran past me lightly, only last week,
(I had food in my mouth so I could not speak).
He was wearing a tasselled, tartan scarf.
As he leapt through the air I could hear his young laugh:
“I’m a monarch no more, I am free of my staff,
Who won’t leave me alone, yes not even to bath!”

From village to village he silently ran,
Growing up daily from boy into man,
And all the young ladies that saw him run by
Were filled up with wonder,
Which made Arnold ponder,
Who is happier: us, them or I?

“I am unhappy”, he silently said,
“These thoughts that keep spinning are hurting my head.
I am not happy as man or as king,
I’m like a bird that has only one wing,
Or maybe a donkey, all crippled and lame,
Won’t somebody tell me now, why so much pain?”

Nobody replied;
One young lady sighed;
She said: “Can I help you?
Tell me what you feel inside.”
Arnold only said:
“On the inside I am dead
And on the outside I am blind.”

She just said: “Well, never mind.”


© 2001 Matt Everett