Jean Atkinson
The Rainbow Portrait
Framed by a great gossamer collar
And a stand-up spiky ruff, the mask-face
Stares out through age-worn years;
In her time an icon, this Queen.
She holds the rainbow 'Peace'
Between slender fingers, long and ivory-sheened.
‘Non sine sole’ no rainbow without the sun
The sun?
Gloriana clothed in allegory
Bringing peace to her people,
A Queen of poetry and myth
Matched with pagan deity;
This is Diana, chaste moon goddess
A little crescent brooch her symbol
Perched high in the head-dress,
A crazy edifice of fantasy topping
The wig of flame-red hair.
On her cloak of glowing golds
Watchful eyes and open ears
Peep through the folds
Witnesses to treason.
A coiled snake adorns her sleeve
Jewel crusted, denying earthly status
Not sinister, it whispers her wisdom
In worldly matters and of the heavens,
Around her neck a droop of pearls
Milky moon orbs proclaim her maiden state
For prudent in all things, she never married
But gave herself to England.
Page(s) 39
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