Return of the King

Images : The Guardian

Return of the King
We loved you :
we did not lose faith
for over half a millennium
despite the calumnies
of history's arselicking bullies,
their ridiculous, superstitious lies
and self- seeking hypocrises.

We watched on screen
as they brushed away
the dirty centuries
from your abused bones,
winced at the pain
you must have overcome
to stand as straight
as your honesty,
anger rekindled
at the emotional pain
your enemies devised.

We wept afresh for all the grief
your short life held,
so much blood
treachery death and exile
filled your childhood eyes,
it taught you to value
justice, fairness, forgiveness
compassion for the powerless;
your grave at last exposed
by some random miracle
amidst the amused incongruity
of a council office car park
tingled the spine of history.

We smiled at the silly jokes
even shared some wit
through social media
certain your reconstructed lips
twitched at the corners too;
Your face, rebuilt by art and science,
revolves; we gaze in wonder.

Your time so brief, yet immortal
you rise above your blackened reputation
you rise like the Scapegoat
you rise like the Sun (of York).
Somehow, ineffable love endures
in the sadness
through the violence
in the heroic tragedy
of humiliations inflicted by cowards
usurpers and lesser men
on the fallen King.

They failed.

Loyalte me lie.