My mother lay in state after she died
Her room made as a chapel
And I cried
To see her still and lying there
Her spirit gone
The quiet air
Her story told she takes her rest
And leaves us to our care
And so Balmoral holds the queen
A few more days till she is seen
In coffined splendour
Crowds pass silent by
It’s well she died in Scottish air
A place she loved
A place so rare
The Highlands of Victoria’s getaway
The changing times are on us now
They need to change
That is the vow
Life is ever forward or we’re done
No Miss Havisham’s hideaway
Face the truth of life each day
It is God’s gift
So greet the rising sun
Brian Fahy
10 September 2022
Erris Poetry 