bernard franklin

**** DIANA ****

She was the jewel in the monarchy’s rusting old crown,

like a diamond she shone in her new wedding gown.

The people were eager to break from the dreary old past,

little knowing that for Diana the dream wouldn’t last.

She was radiant for a while at the birth of her boys,

her full attention she gave to their games and their toys.

 

A slimming disease then took a hold of her life,

so the system decided she could no longer be a royal wife.

Her pain was on show for the whole nation to see,

as illicit pictures were taken for the paparazzi a big fee.

No privacy of her own hounded down by the press,

what had we done to this girl to end up in this mess ?.

 

In a cold world that’s lost its emotional stance,

she captured us all in her empathical trance.

As the girl who gave everything and so rarely had sinned,

she lived her life on the edge like a candle in the wind.

When leprosy and AIDS for the world was too much,

she showed us how to destroy the old taboos of touch.

 

As she took on the world with its worries and woes,

she blossomed before us this dear English rose.

Her presence amongst us made the world richer by far,

so sad to die young then in the back of a car.

The grief of the world was as deep as could be,

this bright light snuffed out so early a sad sight to see.

 

The sombre mood of the people as our dear princess was lost,

only the future will tell us how much was the cost.

Of this paragon of virtue there’s so much to be said,

but I fear it’s to late now that this Icon is dead.

So our last memories of Diana should be strong and not feint,

this ‘queen of hearts’ of the world should be made a new saint.