1

The Thirst of the Kingdom

I wake up with a start,
Seeking my brother’s warmth.
But as there is none to find,
The terrible truth yet again leaps my mind.

A sad sensation tries to take over my senses,
But somehow I manage to shake it off. I will need to put on a strong face,
And not curl up in a corner to sob.

For my people,
This day has been dreadful twice before.
I can’t ever let them down again,
And must ensure that my emotions remain under my control.

Thinking about my day’s plans,
I wander around.
Only a little I’ll get to do today,
Cause there is not much time to be found.

To examine the rainbow berries,
I go to my family’s plantations first.
These are a speciality of our kingdom, And can quench any kind of thirst.

If you need water,
A single rainbow berry will make you feel fine
If you are weak on money,
Then a good enough stock of them will get you more income than a gold mine.

As it is spring,
The berries are in their full blossom.
But there is nothing to be happy about, Because, from all of it, we won’t get even the hundredth portion.

Although the emperor calls the plantation ours,
We have next no share in the money they make.
A major part of the total production is taken from us as tax,
And the rest is sent for trade.

I catch my friend, Neel’s eyes,
As I stroll back towards my home.
But there is nothing for both of us to say,
As true empathy is really hard to be shown.

We just walk by,
Apparently not taking much notice of each other.
I prepare myself both mentally and physically,
For the event which took away my brother.

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