AS we begin to get back to a normal way of life after bidding a final farewell to the Queen yesterday, we publish a poem sent to us by Jonathan Dickson, of Earby.

He names it a 'Poem for Queen Elizabeth's Life'.

Mr Dickson is a member of the congregation at the Priory Church, Bolton Abbey, where between March 2020 and November 2021 he put together audio-services for broadcast each week on the Priory's website. Cameras now live-stream services each week.

He said: "I have written the poem in honour of the Life of Queen Elizabeth, and I do appreciate that, at 19 verses, it is a trifle long maybe; but, hey!, when a lady has lived for nigh on a complete century, and also reigned over us all for over 70 years, you really can't write it down much shorter.

"Writing such poems as this one has become a real joy in my retirement. Back in June I wrote one for the Platinum Jubilee, and last year one for the life of Prince Philip, and then, a few years ago, a poem set to music for 4-part choir as an Introit for the Queen's and Prince Philip's 65th Wedding Anniversary. What has made these all very special was when I sent them to the Queen, and received such charming replies. What a Lady."

EIIR – The Queen’s Death

September’s first Thursday we heard of the death

Of our dearest Monarch, devoted to all.

In tears of our grief we can never forget

Her loving and wonderful life did befall.

Let’s now dry our tears and remember with joy,

She gave of herself in her service so smart,

Our islands so full of our historic yore:

She led us with wisdom and strength from her heart.

GVIR - In the Beginning

It started in Mayfair, Nineteen Twenty-Six,

With birth of Elizabeth, babe to the Crown.

Then, aged just eleven, Girl Guides she did mix;

At eighteen the ATS then called her down.

With war at last over, her Prince did she wed,

At Westminster Abbey, November Four Sev’n,

Their honeymoon spent there in Broadlands fair spread,

And thence to their home, Clarence House now their heav’n.

Two lovely young children came, lad and a lass,

(In Buckingham Palace and then Clarence House),

First Charles, Prince, then Anne, their pretty Princess,

Their hearts were now joyous for both man and spouse.

 

EIIR – The Queen’s Reign

A Round-the-World tour representing King George,

(For illness prevented himself from such strain),

Was cut short at Treetops by Kenya’s deep gorge,

When George sadly died, so to Heathrow by plane.

At Abbey-held Crowning a vow did she swear,

In United Kingdom, and Commonwealth too,

To serve all her subjects with love and with care,

Throughout her life, days to come many or few.

The years of the sixties, more joy, two lads born,

With Andrew and Edward completing their fold,

And Charles went to Gordonstoun, Benenden, Anne,

Their senior school teachings so there to uphold.

Her wide sense of humour, with wit she was great,

Her mem’ry for Politics, Red Boxes read,

Her insight to all the controls of our State,

Made her so respected to all whom she met.

EIIR – The Queen’s Sadnesses

With Philip beside her she weathered hard storms

The times when such sadness her life did enshrine

The strength of her character, her faith in our Lord,

Did ever bring out her best always to shine.

The breakdowns of most of her children’s wedlock,

Divorces so sad for them, and for our Star:

Her tough constitution again did unlock,

Allow her to give them all Love, Support, Care.

Last year sadness grew with Prince Philip’s demise;

Their marriage together for sev’nty-five years;

Her Rock, her Support, her most deeply loved Prize

Had succumbed, deeply missed with so many grief tears.

EIIR – The Queen’s Joys and Happiness

The highlight she gave us, through her special word,

Was Christmas’s broadcast both here and abroad.

When I was a child ‘twas the wireless we heard,

But TV now draws us to watch and be awed.

At home she did revel with Corgis so loved,

Her horses to ride and to breed for the course.

She was so accomplished and rode like a dove,

As showed with the Annual Trooping Colours.

Her tours on Britannia were highlights away:

She voyaged to Commonwealth countries afar.

Where so enjoyed meeting their peoples so gay,

And talking of their life, of their love, their star.

Her wonderful smile of such happiness clear,

With Fam’ly together at her London home

When RAF’s Red Arrows flew past with bright flares,

At special occasions of Jubilee chrome.

And lastly together we must not forget

Her deep trust in God and his dear son, our Christ;

As Gov’nor Supreme Church of England she led

To worship together: such faith beyond price.

CIIIR – The Future

And now as we say our farewells to our Queen,

Our Thank-yous for all that she did for as all,

We ask for God’s blessings and guidance so keen

On Charles who must now lead us, and, yes, us enthral.

Now’s time to look forward as you, Monarch new,

Meet challenge to follow, and your skills to bring.

We look to your wisdom, your strength that is due.

We sing out so loud and clear,

God Save the King!