The State Funeral
The bell rings: the toll of a life redeemed,
tuneless, lest the tune itself becomes a focus.
A majestic solitary note
subject to the majesty of Her Majesty.
The bell rings again, its singularity of purpose
accentuating between its tolling
a leaving, an absence, a farewell.
A gun echoes the bell,
its discharge of smoke
like the dispersal of a soul
onto 'the long walk'.
Solemn footfalls,
in accompaniment
march their tune in turn,
while silent feet face the cortège
in contemplation.
And She is gone.
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