Victorian Wonder Years

Duchess in her finery 
Duke in his chair
people wander round
looking without care


Taking airs and graces
talking with a plum
searching night for treason
drinking too much rum


Livery boy falls over
lady screams in fear
was that Queen Victoria 
leaving out the rear ?


Abused and mistreated
maid’s hurry about their toil
cooks in the kitchen
covered in grease and oil


Cats lay in the wicker
dogs are in the bins
orphan child gets sicker
rags don’t warm a sin


Waste flows through streets
rarely washed or swept
whores on the corner
working off her debt


Bible was the only book
church ruled the land
sometimes a dangerous place
to play your last hand


Grandmother reigned in glory
Hanover rulers stand
Victoria’s wonder years
played to a brass band
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Fraser Avatar
July 14, 2009 at 10:17 AM
We have come a long way from Victoria's reign, another Jayne gem>>James
Shango Avatar
May 21, 2009 at 7:44 AM
Jubilation for a jubilee of decadent history ... jubilation for the mastery of excellent poetry. Bravo, friend
Stacey Avatar
May 18, 2009 at 8:20 AM
great poem, builds a great picture
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