Keeper Of The Law

Keeper Of The Law
© Surazeus
2024 10 05

When Fan Zeng lies down on edge of the cliff, 
after failing to convince the stubborn warrior 
to unite the world and reign as emperor, 
he smiles ruefully at the chestnut sparrow 
that lands on his finger with cheerful twitter, 
longing to return to his fishing boat. 

Every man, who organized followers 
to fight oppressors in grand palaces, 
advances forward on long road of fate, 
fueled by desire for freedom of the people, 
till he sits on throne of authority 
and rules with the same sword the tyrant dropped. 

Each leader who rises up from the crowd 
embodies hopes and dreams the people harbor 
to organize their talents in work force 
designed to maximize efficiency 
in production and distribution of food 
so every person in the land eats well. 

God is the guard over Garden of Eden, 
entrusted by the people of the land 
to protect them while working in the fields 
when he performs role of loaf-ward as Lord, 
warden of wheat in the castle warehouse 
who pays one coin for every bag of crops. 

While dying on grass near edge of the cliff, 
in cool shade of the sprawling Longan tree, 
Fan Zeng considers nature of the soul 
which manifests spirit of leadership 
as Hidden Dragon in the unknown man 
who rises from turmoil to rule the world. 

When two potential kings contest for power, 
son of the general, and the county sheriff, 
the kinder leader, who inspires their people 
with hope to organize society 
that benefits lives of the commoners, 
wins over the angry thug full of pride. 

The angry tyrant, puffed up with false pride, 
who threatens those who do not follow him 
and proclaims he wields divine right to rule, 
will always lose to Keeper of the Law 
who enforces equal justice for all 
and preserves rights of everyone to live. 

The kind leader, willing to sacrifice 
their life to protect the people from harm, 
rules by consent of the governed with love 
founded on mandate of the common will, 
Fan Zeng declares with soft voice of the wind 
as the sparrow bears his soul to the stars.