LOYAL MUSINGS ON THE OCCASION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND’S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND AND TWO
Though the monarchy’s disputed,
the Queen herself is much saluted –
fifty years of dedication,
out of duty to the nation:
braving crowds, waving sweetly,
gracing premières, racing thoroughbreds,
meeting subjects, greeting princes,
bearing up, wearing hats,
signing papers, declining requests,
granting audiences, planting trees,
heading the Commonwealth, dreading the tabloids,
begetting heirs, regretting scandals,
dubbing dignitaries, snubbing daughters-in-law,
giving garden parties, living the part,
possessing riches, addressing parliament,
impressing PMs, expressing sorrow,
hosting banquets, boosting tourism,
trooping the colour, drooping never,
ever focussed, never failing,
reigning steadfast, rain or shine.
Though her role’s anachronistic,
even antimonarchistic
folk admit that, truth to tell,
she’s done the job supremely well.
John Barclay