Lilibet and I

The Queen and I,

We were friends (in my head),

I imagined she saw me,

And followed my thread.

When I was a child

We'd share scones and tea.

She knew the right way,

But she never told me.

Convention dictates

Theres a right way around,

But good manners meant

She'd not make a sound,

As I ladled on cream

And slapped on the jam,

As long as I managed

To say "thank you ma'am".

When I was a teen,

She, a little bit older,

We'd talk about dogs,

And firmly I told her,

"Your Corgi's alright

But it's hardly a runner."

And she'd smile pleasantly,

And I'd think that I'd won her.

But then came the Dorgi's

And I realised with sadness,

She'd strung me along,

Indulged me my madness.

When I was grown,

She offered an ear.

She heard of my woes,

My worry, my fear.

And she, in her turn

Would confide her distress,

Over matters of state,

And her Christmas address.

She was a mother,

Long before I.

I envied her childcare,

She envied my time.

As my joints became stiffer,

She remained steady.

We'd sit side by side,

A laugh always ready.

We'd chat about people

She'd met in her life.

She told a great story,

And was sharp as a knife.

She told tales of grandeur,

With mischievous flare,

Whilst holding composure,

And genuine care.

We were friends, she and I,

Who never did meet.

A shame I believe,

We both missed a treat.