AT THE TIME OF NUMISMATIC TRANSITION

An Indian Vignette of Myth from an Ersatz History of Possibilities

After the emperor's head has been chopped off,
the royal executioner
is paid his wages
by his new masters.
Till new currency is struck,
the ancient regime's will have to do.

He opens his purse,
and takes out a mohur --
a golden guinea,
with the decapitated royal bust
on the obverse,
and the other face emblazoned
with the legend:
Emperor of the World,
Scion of the Solar Dynasts,
Shadow of God on Earth
He-whose-reign-is-eternal.

He tosses the coin,
perhaps to test his own fate.
Heads it is.