just as every town (and fair-sized space)
needs a Christmas tree with lights and frills
any self-respecting country requires a King
or Queen, a figurehead to represent them
on the world stage, at ceremonies for those
who have been brave, obedient and killed,
to welcome other Kings or Queens, to be
seen on a balcony and parade, to wave and
be grave at times of national grief, Aberfan
the Blitz in World War Two
not to take out their teeth to play the spoons
as my uncle did for reasons never explained
.
Steven Taylor
.