Yesterday, Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II addressed both Houses of Parliament here in London to mark her
Diamond Jubilee just as she did during her Silver and Golden Jubilee years. She
has already begun touring the UK; no mean feat at the age of 85 years nor for
Prince Philip who is 90.
Now, as anyone who knows me is
aware, I am no die-hard royalist, but one by default as I hate the idea of the UK becoming a a
republic. However, I have always been a great
admirer of Her Majesty The Queen. In this, her Diamond Jubilee year, it seems
appropriate to repeat this poem that first appeared on the blog in 2010 and
subsequently in my collection that same year.
By the way, I have written another
villanelle to mark her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee that I will post here over the
Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend in June. Hopefully, there will be time to record
it for my YouTube channel as well. [For other videos on my
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber ]
My close friend and cameraman, Graham,
and I recorded this villanelle in Royal Windsor two years ago; you can just see
the castle in the background.
ALMA MATER
Epitome of majesty,
walk-about among us she goes,
smiling thoughtfully
She sees what she will see
though just what, no one knows;
epitome of majesty
Watching over a family,
keeping politicians on their toes,
smiling thoughtfully
Mindful of a public duty,
regardless of any stones it throws;
epitome of majesty
Heard said, admiringly,
of private selves to some she
shows,
smiling thoughtfully
Alma Mater to set us free
if but briefly from the world’s
woes;
epitome of majesty,
smiling thoughtfully
[From: On The Battlefields Of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]
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