Poet laureate honours Queen Elizabeth II with new work, Floral Tribute
Simon Armitage's poem, which spells out the late monarch's name acrostically, pays homage to a promise made and kept for life'
The poet laureate, Simon Armitage, has released a poem to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Floral Tribute, which has been distributed by Armitage's publisher, Faber, is a double acrostic, with two verses consisting of nine lines, the first letters of which spell Elizabeth, a nod perhaps to funeral floral arrangements that spell out the deceased person's name.
The poet directly references himself in the first verse: I have conjured a lily to light these hours, a token of thanks." Armitage thanks the Queen for her gift of a promise made and kept for life" and offers his poem as a gift in return".
Wisdom who, with power infinite,
Utterest death to every creature born,
Grant to us now the mercy of Thy light,
With comfort to beloved Queens who mourn.