An Ode to the Dethronement of President Musharraf

The Lion King's Mane

King Mush was sage, fully comprehending,

That the purpose of his Bushy mane

Was to inspire awe and fear retributive;

With terrible aspect to command respect,

Obedience from fractious beasts exact.

But all around, clamours loud he heard,

Urging him to remove his khakhi mane,

"Can't you see it is but a Bush unkempt,

Attracts vermin and keeps you hot & bothered

During summers long; itches during downpours--

Of what use is it to you and your realm?".

Moved by the cacophony ceaseless,

One day the Lion King yielded and

Trimmed his mane entire!

For a fleeting moment all seemed well,

The King enjoyed the comforts of his maneless head;

But ere long his restive subjects seething

Unawed by his shrunken visage

Boldly defied edicts, spurned commands!

The King suppressed them but barely,

Received a mauling so severe he knew

That as Lord of the jungle his days were few.

A fatal flaw was the pretender's lie
A greying mane concealed under native dye!
Alas came the monsoon, the colour did melt
And the seething masses did soon suspect
Out, out they cried in unison
Before he leads the land to self-destruction!

The fateful day dawned ere long

When new lions with untrimmed manes

Came forth and roared mightily

The old lion king dethroned, slunk away!