On the Occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

I've always liked Derek Jarman's Jubilee with its idea of juxtaposing the present (the 1977 Jubilee) with that of Queen Elizabeth I. That landscape - the decaying Punk-era - is now far distant, but there is still mileage in the idea of looking back and forward, as can be seen with the beacons, now lit in celebration, and then lit as a warning. 

There's a nod to the Sex Pistols notorious single here as well, but written to point out that if there is a fascist regime, it is not in England but elsewhere. The tyrannical  and absolutist aspirations of Putin can again be seen as a reflection of King Philip of Spain, not least (although not mentioned in this poem) because of their endorsement by the religion of their times. 

I also wanted to get a bit of Blake's Jerusalem in, and something of both the Tilbury speech, and the prayers for the Queen in the book of Common Prayer. And finally I wanted some kind of reference to that wonderful beaming smile that I think is a defining image of this Jubilee.

On the Occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth and Court Philosopher John Dee,
Walking into the present day, amazed to see,
Beacons lit, from hill to hill, across the land;
Many years before, torches in flaming hand,
Bonfires lit, warning seen from town to town;
The Spanish peril, the threat to the crown,
The approaching Armada of King of Spain;
But now all we have to worry about is rain,
As the beacons burn, blazing away the night,
Monarchy: in times of darkness, sign of light;
God Save the Queen. And a fascist regime,
Is not here, but where Putin’s forces teem,
And invade Ukraine, like Philip, King of Spain:
Dark days threaten of destruction, death, pain;
But Drake saw off the Armada with ships on fire:
England rejoice! Bring me my arrows of desire;
Our Elizabeth, our Sovereign Queen, indeed:
The Defender of the Faith, Anglican in creed;
Oh England, our Lionheart, seventy years,
In laughter and smiles, and sorrow and tears:
Philip died last year, could not be here today;
Common Prayer commands, let us now pray:
We and all her subjects may faithfully serve her,
As she herself obeys the Lord her true Seigneur;
As Elizabeth the First, the oath on Tilbury Hill,
To lay down for her God her life, as she will,
And for her kingdom, and her sovereign people,
Let church bells ring out from every steeple:
Long to reign over us, rejoice and pray!
The first Elizabeth spoke on Tillbury Hill did say
“My honour and my blood, even in the dust.”
And platinum is indeed treasure not to rust;
Constancy: even when there is hardship, strife,
True to her coronation oath, and that for life
Now hear the chimes ring out from Big Ben,
And she smiles. Thank you majesty. Amen.