When the bloom was on the roses
and on her cheeks as well she
came before the people:
young, luminous—theirs—
in glorious regalia, saying, I have in sincerity pledged myself to your
service, as so many of you are pledged
to mine. Throughout all my life and
with all my heart I shall strive
to be worthy of your trust.
In the marketplaces where throngs
gathered that day, baskets and frocks
were filled with gourds and roots,
leafy bunches and dewy petals, with
offerings from the abundant vine
and the heavy branch.
And when the people heard, I thank you
all from a full heart.
God bless you all.
they whipped and flung into the skies
all blessings worthy of her
blooming before them, trusting
she would ripen well, singing
she would live long.
Written for The Mag: Mag 120 that inspired with the above photo prompt (image by Klaus Enrique Gerdes).
Queen Elizabeth II's June 2, 1953, Coronation Speech full text.
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