Death Mask
On a recent visit to Warwick Castle,
We saw the death mask of Oliver Cromwell:
The man famous for asking an artist to paint
His portrait and show him warts and all.
I studied the stern features of the wax mask,
And noted the prominent warts.
He banned festivities, games and entertainments;
Had the joyless people preferred their lives
The way they once were with their king?
Or did they continue to rejoice the regicide?
As I studied Cromwell's likeness I wondered
Had the man who cast the mask thanked heaven
For ridding them of another dictator?
Jack Horne for Nette's Mask Time contest
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