To Be King

Under the “philosopher king” theme so there’s a reluctance, usually. Those who can wield the throne aren’t so inclined to do so. It’d be better to avoid rule in any capacity (or rule from the shadows). Too much a bother, too much risk maybe.

But I think the reluctance comes from a concealed truth.

I mean, the function of the throne is steering a people who, in turn, support your manifest destiny. And sure, a king keeps his estate orderly, receives the love and fear perfunctual. Though if you stare through the urchins roaming the streets to the seamstresses and the commonfolk congregating around your platform, unraveled banner waving…

How intoxicating it is for them to see a just king rise to the throne! How much hope! For their future. But also for their Today.

For what people want, especially now of all eras — what people want is a reason to live.

Survey everyone you know, the whole populace and those passed in the street. How many wish to hear why they must live? Do you see? What shall they die for?

Maybe everyone secretly knows you can only hold meaning from your own self. Your own meaning ought to only be for yourself, to yourself.

But how heavy a burden. And how many desperate, even now, how many look toward another to keep persisting! Cue the romance movies and friendship as power above anything.

It is precisely this quality, this ability to inject meaning in another’s meaningless world, which gives a supernatural support to those that rise. A quality that distinguishes rulers from doomed tyrants. A monopoly to wield: imbuing each day with a renewed hope. Give me a reason, give me hope — there are worlds waiting! This wasn’t all for nothing.

We all know no one else can give you a meaning of bedrock. But maybe a king can give something half-as-good. And to the truly honest that rise, can you lead so many where they abandon themselves wholly?

But one must concede that they had no reason to live previously.

Only the truly legendary kings perhaps acknowledge that it is of divine providence to judge. They are animated by the movements of their time, of a natural hierarchy rising from the sand; each grain lends their support.

Such it is, if you pick up the crown.

One must be prepared: yes, I will give you reason.

I need you.

We have things to do.

Let’s begin!