Hail the Republic! by Jennie Hart - a reflection on the events of last Saturday

The jewelled crowns, her costly gown

His golden cape and buckled shoes

Ivory- satin, velvet, silk,

Breath-taking in their glowing hues

 

A pageant fit to crown a King

And make Consort Camilla, Queen

A dazzling display of wealth

For seventy years was never seen.

 

Is monarchy a relic

Of a medieval time?

When peasants touched their forelock

And were whipped for minor crimes?

 

Today prepayment-meters,

Convey the situation,

No cash to feed the tv,

And watch the Coronation

 

Life becomes unbearable

When you have to join a queue

For an appointment with the doctor

Unbelievable but true.

 

A dentist on the NHS

Has now become more rare

Decay is on the increase

Many can’t afford the care.

 

But Charles is in his ivory tower

With chefs to bake his bread

No thin white-sliced from Warburtons

Fresh focaccia instead.

 

His servants lay his clothing out

Put toothpaste on his brush

Pander to his every whim

When he is in a rush.

 

Charles’s dental care is private

No NHS for him

Physicians strive to keep him sound

In tooth and heart and limb.

 

But here’s the rub (says Shakespeare)

Is it good enough today

That one man owns enormous wealth

While some struggle to pay

 

No ordinary comforts

Like warmth, a home and meals

On zero hours contracts

Does Charles know how it feels?

 

Is it time for a Republic

For the Monarch to step down

Redistribute all his money

To the poor in every town?

 

‘He’s not my king’, they tried to shout

But democracy, it failed them,

The police their voices silenced

While we sang the National Anthem.