At Garden Court’s housing and community care summer party on Friday 7 July, David Watkinson read his poem, loosely based on Percy Shelley’s Masque of Anarchy and Ode to the West Wind, with topical, political references.
David is a former Head of Garden Court Chambers. By popular demand, David has kindly allowed us to post it. Garden Court is proud of David’s many talents.
“The Masque of Anarchy ” or “The Coalition of Chaos”
As I did wander in the land of poetry
I heard a voice calling unto all and me
O, my people vote for me
And we shall have strength and stability.
Then met I False Pride or Hubris on the way
She wore a mask like Theresa May
Full sure of power and sovereigntee
But such for her was not to be.
Now, instead, ten bloodhounds follow she
All are fat, as well they might be
For they are members of the D.U.P.
Full fed upon the fruit of the magic money-tree.
O, can we ever from such dark pact
Expect such progress as the Homelessness Reduction Act
And will many more Destructions yet be played
By this ghastly masquerade
And will Brexit cast us deeper into shade?
(change of tone)
But let us laugh and make our mirth
At these shadows of the earth
And by the incantation of this verse
Herald the triumph of a prophecy!
O Friends, though Winter comes
Can Spring (1) be far behind.
(1) Or Corbyn may be substituted for or added to “Spring”