Beacons: a poem for the Jubilee

to Her Majesty the Queen, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee

After the fanfare the beacons flare 
Out in the dusk and the still June air; 
Thousands of parishes blaze brave light 
Loyally into the nearing night, 
And on the hillside a quiet prayer 

Lifts, though the words are hard to find, 
Up from the heart; because, behind 
These great festivities, we know 
There are some deeper thanks we owe —
Thanks for deep faith, the quiet kind; 

Faith shown in small things that fulfil 
Great vows of youth; that sows good-will; 
Faith that has long encouraged us; 
Faith without faltering or fuss, 
Plain as a beacon on a hill. 

This long example that you have set 
Shows us, Your Majesty, how we yet 
May find eternal jubilee: 
We see, we understand and we 
Will not forget, will not forget. 

   Pentecost Sunday, 5th June, 2022.

The Jubilee Beacon, St. Helier, south London, 2nd June 2022.