Sun King of the East and West
By John Herlihy

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
I doth rise at your behest,
I will set at your request.
Said the Sun King of the West
To the Sun King of the East:
You have your appointed time,
Then descend to lose your shine.

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
My smile will last the day long,
My light will make the day strong.
Said the Sun King of the West
To the Sun King of the East:
My frown takes your light away,
No reason left for you to stay.

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
Dawn’s arrival announces the day,
The birds of heaven have their say.
Said the Sun King of the West
To the Sun King of the East:
Twilight’s arrival draws night’s shade,
All birds must depart from the glade.

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
Morning awakens butterfly and bee
To get busy with their industry.
Said the Sun King of the West,
To the Sun King of the East:
Evening awakens the bat and owl,
Flying out and about on the prowl.

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
First light extinguishes the night,
All night creatures escape the light.
Said the Sun King of the West
To the Sun King of the East:
Last light dies with the dusk,
All light beams become dust.

Said the Sun King of the East
To the Sun King of the West:
I bid the emerging day hello,
May it prosper and glow.
Said the Sun King of the West
To the Sun King of the East:
In taking leave I bid you good-bye,
Time for me to lay down and die.