We continue to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II with poems written by you, our readers. These were first published in our 2012 Diamond Jubilee Special.
Steadfast
The Queen’s greatest quality? Steadfastness!
Through thick and thin, she’s done her best.
Sixty years upon the throne,
She’s kept her cool as time goes on.
Family troubles around her ears,
She’s had her share of pain and tears,
Home and away, she never changes,
Wealth alone will not assuage it.
She’ll keep right on until the end,
Stiff upper lip — she’ll never bend!
Happy celebrations, Ma’am,
May God protect your steadfast charm.
— Mrs R.D., Cwmbran
Diamond Queen
For sixty years you’ve ruled this realm of ours;
This sceptred isle, and lands beyond the sea.
So now with adoration, joy and pride,
We celebrate your Diamond Jubilee.
The sea of waving flags; the cheering crowds
Create a living tribute — boundless, vast.
As bells ring loud and clear and trumpets sound,
They hold a thousand echoes from the past.
The marching forces, mighty voice of guns
Salute our monarch, dedicated, true.
And from the planes that jet across the sky
Stream forth smoke ribbons of red, white and blue.
So from this special day may you remain
Our ever-blessed Queen — long may you reiign.
—Mrs D.S., Taunton
Busy Lizzie
I’ll say, Queen Lizzie, you’re always busy,
Ruling your people with love.
Your ma and pa would be so proud,
Watching from above.
You’ve been on the money, steadfast and strong,
Since 1952.
Diamond Queen, our dear old Dutch,
We’ll drink a toast to you.
2012 — your cheeky smile
Delights and cheers us still,
So raise a glass, three cheers, m’dears,
Our Diamond Queen wins through . . .
— Ms S.J., Grendon
Raise A Glass!
In this year of the Diamond Jubilee
We give thanks to Her Majesty,
A long and successful reign,
Never to be seen again.
She has travelled far and wide,
Devoted husband by her side.
Always greeted with smiles and flowers,
Having waited for many hours.
She has given us so much pleasure,
On many occasions we all treasure,
So let us all, as a nation,
Raise a glass in celebration.
— Mrs D.B., Newcastle
Give Thanks
Sixty years ago, Ma’am,
And yet I have to say,
My memories are all so clear
Of your Coronation day.
“Vivat, vivat Regina!” The abbey’s ancient walls
Did echo with that glorious sound.
Our hearts were filled with joy and pride
As Elizabeth, our Queen, was crowned.
I cannot find the words, Ma’am,
For I am really very old,
To thank you for your selflessness,
But your story will be told.
The generations yet to come
Will learn how blessed this nation’s been
To have your faithful service,
To have you as our Queen.
Perhaps the simplest words are best
For one so steadfast and so true,
Dear Ma’am, your loyal subjects everywhere —
We all give thanks to you.
—Mrs R.D., Eynsham
For All She Has Done . . .
As a very young woman she came to the throne,
We thank our sovereign for all she has done,
Her commitment to the nation has really been outstanding,
Unselfishly she gave herself to duties demanding.
At the tender age of ten years old, her future was mapped out,
I hope she was too young to know what it would be about.
The life that she was called to live was going to be lonely,
Burdens she’d called to bear on her young shoulders only.
Specially chosen for a task that few are called to do,
She began to serve her people, still pained with grief so new.
No longer free to please herself, fulfil her own desires,
This young lady gave herself to all that was required.
Sometimes her heart was full of joy, other times quite sad,
She bravely faced the public, whether miserable or glad.
Followed everywhere she went by cameras and the press,
Who recorded every details, right down to how she’d dress.
Like others, she has not been spared from pain or disappointment,
Calm and brave she carries on fulfilling each appointment.
On this her Diamond Jubilee, we show our Queen much honour,
Humbly we do pray to God to shower his blessings on her.
—Mrs M.M., Nairn
The Coronation
In her year of Coronation,
When all were glad and gay,
Our Queen, with humble heart and voice,
Did, in her bright array,
Take vows and pray to God above
To help her in her need,
For such a strong and loving heart,
Will reign over us supreme.
With Philip standing by her side,
To help wherever he can,
With hearts rejoicing in their love
They both will try to plan
That in those years they have to come,
Our land will surely bless
The day that our Elizabeth
Was tried and stood the test.
So let us all with loud applause,
On this our festive scene,
Lift up our hearts and voice the words,
“God save our gracious Queen”!
—Mrs A.T., written in 1953
Different Paths
We were born the same year,
Her Majesty and I,
Elizabeth to luxury,
And all that wealth can buy;
Myself to strike-hit parents.
Our lives took very different paths
But alike in many stages,
Married only months apart,
Four children, similar ages.
But what a role model she has been,
A life of deidcation,
Still a loving wife and mother,
Loved by our great nation.
Politicians come and go
And politics rise and fall,
But she remains a figurehead,
Her duty before all.
“Annus horribilis” she overcame,
Long may she reign, her spirit keen,
Our inspiration always,
Our Elizabeth — our Queen.
— Mrs M.S., Sheffield
Send in yours!
We’d love to hear your poems, stories and messages in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. You can email them to betweenfriends@dctmedia.co.uk with the subject line ‘Queen Elizabeth II’, and they could be used in an upcoming issue.
Read more tributes celebrating Queen Elizabeth II from the “Friend”.