Passing

A poem to honour the late Queen's death. Throughout my life I've had a problematic relationship with the Royal family, due to my politics, but I can't help but admire her sense of duty and years of constant service.


She was Queen before my birth
Crowned the year my sister was born
Accepted simply as part of the fabric of life,
Our interest confined to the Prince 
Whether he could marry my sister
As if we lived in a fairy tale.
Those years passed in the blur of childhood
Naively accepting the way the world was organised.  

By the time of the Silver Jubilee
I was a student, a Socialist,
Full of the injustices of the world, 
Of shame at colonialism
Outraged at inequality
Scornful of unearned privilege. 
The celebration street parties were boycotted
Indignantly, ostentatiously, proudly. 

By the Golden Jubilee
I'd settled down, with a family, 
With duties, responsibilities of my own
Still caring about inequalities, 
Still scornful of the privileged few;
No longer certain of the solution. 
The celebrations at the Palace were watched
Begrudgingly, awkwardly, uneasily.

By the Diamond Jubilee
My family grown, left home
I was thinking of early retirement,
Believed I'd given enough service
To the government, righted enough wrongs,
Done my bit. She carried on. 
The celebrations on the Royal barge were watched 
Admiringly, respectfully, compassionately.

By the Platinum Jubilee
Ready to express appreciation
Of longevity, of years of public service
Given in the face of public scrutiny,  
Criticism, family embarrassments, 
I partied,  bought a jubilee t- shirt, 
Joined in the celebrations in our street
Willingly, thankfully, joyfully.

After years as part of the nation's weft and weave, 
The nation's grandmother proved mortal. 
The Prince at last his destiny fulfilled
Stood solemn, dignified, his pain internal. 
I watched the nation, less restrained, mourn at his side
Lining the routes the coffin travelled, 
Eerily silent or sometimes gently clapping;
Sadly,  momentously, proudly. 

© Copyright 2022. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved 




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