The Emperor Poem by Venkateswaran Krishnan Sreenivasan

Sycophancy is a rich fodder to chew
For praise mongers among the fabulous few
Glittering stars on earth; the witch’s brew
That intoxicates and trickles away like the petal dew

Imbued with virtues they don’t possess
Even in their dreams, they can’t assess
Their worth in terms of the monies they spend
On their countless cronies they tend

Having been adored by the priests of power
By the incessant chant of hymns and prayer
The stars are blown into seraphs with wings
To bury their boons and turn into kings

Inflated by ego and puffed up pride
By awards, rewards and accolade
The stars shine out, strut and stride
Like the emperor nude with shame to hide

Follow your vocation with dedication
Undaunted by adulation
Unfazed by deification
Unaffected by vilification