The Jester's garden

Task one, mop the dining hall
Task two, set the royal table
Task three, dust the furniture
Task four, review the guest list
Task five, visit the garden.

Task six, greet guests and take their coats
Task seven, fetch the drinks
Task eight, visit the garden
Task nine, check up on guests
Task ten, fetch more drinks
Task eleven, visit the garden     again

Task twelve, sit in the garden
Task thirteen, smell the tulips, they are in bloom
Task fourteen, take a nap in the shade
Task fifteen, fetch more drinks
Task sixteen, return to the garden

The garden is kind to me afterall
It waits for me day by day as monotony takes hold
Beckoning for my time and attention
                             I give to it liberally

The king in his generosity promised a promotion
If I should only be more attentive to my real duties
But what’s a few extra gold pieces to the delights my garden brings?
Here there are no pompous guests,
There are no chores to do
And there are no expectations to be had

Expectations.
The queen spoke to me the other day
She commented on my strengths and told me
Of my great potential, if only I would exert myself more into my work
Potential
What does she know?
She hasn’t spent nearly as much time with me
As has the toad who lives by the lily pond

Make no mistake, I love my employers dearly
And their kindness knows no bounds
However, why settle for such dull tasks
When I can stay here on this warm metal bench
Facing the garden wall
Dreaming, resting, forgetting,
Forevermore