When the New King Came

by Mike Jenkins, with image by Steve Bell

When the new king came to the Diff
There were many lining the streets
Waving their Union Jacks
Ready to take mobile snaps :
Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Others who sang and heckled -
Glyndwr, Yes Cymru banners and placards;
The purple-headed girl with hers
"Fuck the Royals,  Feed the Poor"
Warned of arrest by the cops.

When the new King came to the Diff
There were police on castle turrets
Spying on every movement
Others with guns like adverts
For an arms fair welcomed to Wales.

When he came he would not have seen
The many homeless huddled in doorways,
Like they'd been spewed out and rejected,
And not one rose to greet
His cavalcade and big, black limousine.

When the new King came to the Diff
Press-ganged pupils squealed
And even shouted "Cymru!" in confusio ;
In that place of Normans and coal barons,
He came, he spoke.....but did not conquer.

Note: The diff is local slang for Cardiff