This poem is talking about a king of the country who everyone envies and submits to actually felt a sense of ruthlessness and loneliness. He seems to have nothing to worry about, but in reality, he had lost the most important element of life, the warmth of the human heart. People admire his wealth and power, but they could never understand the spiritual damage the king suffered because of the hypocrisy and greed for money of those around him.
 
This poem aims to address the theme of the “highest solitude” by shifting the narrator’s point of view from the third person to the first person. The transition from narration reflects the fact that people's feelings and understanding of a thing are variable due to their identity and the role they played in society. Power is a double-edged sword, and those whom others admire may themselves be suffering from unknown wounds and loneliness.

Emily Chen is a 10th grader from Shanghai, China. Her interests span literature, gender studies, and economics. She is committed to promoting gender equality and has posted some book reviews and creative writing through social networks. Her work has been recognized by New York Times. She likes to travel, listen to music, and paint pictures.