The Queen

The Queen is dead; a kingdom mourns
And all through her domain
There will be countless tributes
To her long amazing reign.

Ascending to the throne so young,
She ruled with style and grace
And no one (certainly not Charles!)
Will ever take her place.

To us, across the pond, she seemed
So decorous and prim,
Requiring a curtsy (from a her)
Or bow (from him).

Her matching suits and hats defined
Her monarchy and yet,
Beneath that stiff demeanor
Lurked the Queen most never met.

I once read that her handbag,
Always draped across her arm,
Was moved quite subtly to
Her other elbow, an alarm.

She did this when she’d had enough
And wanted to take leave,
A signal that her handlers
Were on lookout to receive.

That story showed her human side;
Will wonders never cease?
We’ll miss you, Queen Elizabeth,
And may you rest in peace.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Krutsinger Avatar
September 28, 2022 at 10:12 AM
I will look at films of the queen with renewed interest in her handbag situations.
Leffanta Avatar
September 9, 2022 at 11:48 AM
This showcases your incredible command of the language! Well said and done, Ilene! Aloha!
Slaughter Avatar
September 9, 2022 at 10:35 AM
I'm so glad you wrote this, Ilene. I'm not much on monarchical types, but I think I would have really liked her. And I think they should skip Charles altogether, and go straight to William.
Cunningham Avatar
September 9, 2022 at 1:43 AM
Lovely tribute Ilene, never knew about the handbag signal, what's Charlie going to do? Tom
Flood Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 5:01 PM
A worthy tribute, Ilene. There will be many to come and all will show our Queen in a different light. I saw a modest and perhaps even shy (ish) woman, others will see a global superstar. I have few qualms about Charles… he’s been in training for seventy three years. Should mean something. Terry
Fleming Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Thank you for your tribute to my amazing and wonderful Queen. God bless you. :) john
Anaya Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Excellent accumulation of open feelings and candid sentiments of moments of Queen Elizabeths attitudes and traits. So timely and amazingly executed!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace