.
The gaffe-prone Duke of Edinburgh has died,
who asked if native Aussies still chucked spears
and told some Brits they’d end up slitty-eyed
for living in Beijing too many years.
Yet what a gap this man of action filled.
In World War Two he rode the cruel seas,
then Queen’s companion ‘Phil the Greek’ was billed
for seven decades, toiling without ease.
In cricket and in yachting he excelled,
an Albert-and-a-half until he left;
this carriage-driving, polo player held
the youth in awe—our nation stands bereft.
A controversial figure now and then,
Prince Philip was a stalwart man of men.
.
.
Paul A. Freeman is the author of Rumours of Ophir, a crime novel which was taught in Zimbabwean high schools and has been translated into German. In addition to having two novels, a children’s book and an 18,000-word narrative poem (Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers!) commercially published, Paul is the author of hundreds of published short stories, poems and articles.
This seems the kind of tribute the gaffe-prone prince would like! I’m glad you include the carriage driving; I consider it his most attractive activity–except maybe outdoor cooking at royal family picnics. Although he did live two and a half times as long as Prince Albert, your poem gives him a fair shake!
Thank you, Margaret. That carriage-driving looks like one of the most dangerous past times going. The carriages constantly seemed to be about to overturn, spilling out the participants. No wonder the Queen always looked so pensive when she was spectating.
Thank you for that lovely tribute !
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Allegra.
Nice one Paul. I enjoyed this. He was certainly a character and we are still talking about him.
A friend of mine met him once. The conversation was……
“And what do you do?”
“I am a consultant sir”
“So, a first-class ticket on the gravy train then?”
Kind of sums him up.
Thanks, Jeff. And that’s a brilliant anecdote.