Poetry Society publishes poem by Roger McGough
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
