On the Coronation of a King, 6 May 2023

What have I to do with the matters of kings?
What brilliance, brighter than the brilliant do I bring?
Is it my place to be thinking on such high minded things?
While the Roman Generals fought for longer swords,
While they schemed in the open and
while they schemed behind closed doors,
While they cried out more sophisticated orders,
And, while they whipped slaves’ backs to stretch Empire borders,
Those living under the boot fought amongst themselves,
While their groans incited murderous riot.

While humanity was seeking their own advantage;
Without a word, the Carpenter took his throne.
Although his coronation was bloodied and gory,
He is seated now, glory upon glory.

the Coronation of a King

I bet the only thing England has talked about this past month is the Coronation of King Charles III. Leading up to the event we waited with bated breath to see what Harry will do and then, we commiserated about how alone and sad he appeared during the ceremony. Before, some sighed in disbelief and they are still sighing now; Camilla– Queen– really? The fashionistas speculated what attire the royal household would be clothed in, and still the ‘who wore what’ photos are everywhere. And, for some it has been a period of resurrecting old conversations. Is the Monarchy still an appropriate institution to herald?

The King’s Coronation Day was a day of celebration for some, while for others, it was a day of protest. – Remember the yellow and black placards scattered along the way? “Not my King,” they said.

the Roles and Duties of a King

Amidst all the to-do, or rather, because of all the fuss, the idea of ‘kingship’ was in the fore of my thinking. Partly ‘kingship’ in the traditional sense, as being the leader in a hierarchy of power, but I was gravitating toward the duties of the throne. It is to govern (well) and protect the lands and people living with those lands. I imagine the burden of responsibility must be great.

the World is Loud

My mind then turned toward the current state of affairs, where there are an uncountable number of opinions and positions declaring what governments ought to do, and what they ought to care about and whom they ought to serve; each believing to have a better solution to the other. All this contestation for, what is ultimately ’the throne’ just seems to be loud. Clamorous. And it seems, everybody is trying to shout louder than the other. For some reason, the loudest voice must be the correct one.

What happened to just getting on with it?

But when I revisit my most indelible memories, it is not an organisation or social issue I see. Instead, I see a face. I see the face of a person who did not care for a ‘seat at the table,’ but who was content to stay behind to clean the dishes. I remember the way that person made me feel, not what they achieved at their workplace. This was a person who got on with things, choosing to live out their love for others, instead of yelling down a speakerphone at others. Hence, this poem.

Here’s to getting on with it.