Solitaire

“Solitude is bliss

Loneliness is suffering…”

I wish I knew the difference. All alone, encrusted in precious metal, they call me a ‘solitaire’.

My solitude is the claws that bind me to the ring that adorns the slender finger of the young king. But I have no blood or water to shed unlike that very different King who lived a life as lonely as mine. He gave the freedom to His people, the freedom I can never find.

I am the boast of my wearer and sparkle with the bright spirit that is not mine, gaining admirers but no friends. I shine through the cuts of pain, of suffering, but none outside shall see, the dullness concealed within me…

“A forlorn jewel

clenched in claws of agony;

While mortals stand around.”

                                  -Pink

* * *

“Solitude is bliss

Loneliness is suffering…”

I know the difference. All alone, yet not. Duty, responsibility and expectations, heavy on my shoulders, isolates me from the rest. A hard life being a king, yet I have heard of another, very different King whose life was harder than mine. He gave the freedom to His people, the freedom I can never find, but unlike Him I am only mortal.

I am the boast of my country and appear to be the perfect king with a cheerful face and a bright spirit that is anyone’s but mine. I am never alone, yet lonely, surrounded by those whom I cannot call my friends.

My money and power being subtly proclaimed by the large solitaire on my finger, attracts many. But solitude away from this circus called court is all I crave for, wishing I could be the solitary jewel that sparkles mockingly at the dullness concealed within me…

“A solitaire

upon the ring;

Contrasts the wearer.”

                            -Pink