The Dictator's Day
The Dictator’s Day The dictator was having a good day. He’d slept well the night before And his digestion was improving. Around midday, A head he’d asked for Was brought in for him. It was the head of a man Who’d been causing trouble In the farthest reaches of the kingdom. The page held the head up By the hair like a vendor Showing what he’s got on market day. The dictator nodded. The head was placed back In its basket and taken away. He was feeling so good, He told the guards To let a few prisoners go. But towards evening He started feeling a little down. He wondered what it was That was making him sad. Then he remembered the prisoners. He ordered them to be captured and killed. Their heads were brought in as proof. That made him feel better. He had a quiet dinner, Did a little reading (Pascal’s Pensées) And went to bed, Falling asleep almost as soon as His head hit the pillow.