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Poetry Society publishes poem by Roger McGough

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The Poetry Society reacted swiftly to news of the Queen’s death. It says on its website: “As the sad news was announced yesterday of the death of Her Majesty the Queen on 8 September 2022, we thought we should mark the occasion of The Queen’s passing with a poem. We invited Poetry Society President Roger McGough to write a response to the unfolding news. We are very grateful to him for writing a personal and immediate reflection the same evening, as he, like all of us, starts to process this great change in our national life.”

 

GOD REST THE QUEEN

by Roger McGough

 

She spoke volumes quietly.

Is everywhere and will remain so

Our shared interest, our common currency

The nation cannot let her go.

 

Stars untwinkle one by one

The moon, in shock, averts its gaze

No words express the grief we feel

How we loved thee, let us count the ways.

 

The future, fearful, has gone awol

Life goes on but not the one we know

Though wreaths and words may wither

The nation will not let her go.

 

Guns fall silent, the flag lowered

She who kept us close is gone

Winter is composing a sad anthem

It will play on and on and on.

 

8 September 2022

© 2022 Roger McGough, for The Poetry Society

 

PHOTOGRAPH: DAVID ANDREW/ WRITE OUT LOUD 

 

 

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