The dismal spectre of a dying stanza
gasps between the black and white keys
of a crumbling, tuneless piano.
Cigarette burns and brown stains scar its tired wooden top— tarnished
medals from recent wars and skirmishes.
These are the Beagle’s final days.
In a rusty voice, the town crier’s bell
proclaims to empty streets and galleries
the death of art and poetry in the city
and sombre incantations continue into the night.
Beyond all courage, obscure poets
shelter in the barricades of French cafés
and Vincent circles the yard each day in tears—
all his sunflowers and bright yellow fields
have perished in evening’s fading light.
A few words about the poem…
Political Poems: Thursday, 23 June 2016, a Reflection on a Nation’s Turning Point
“Thursday, 23 June 2016” is a symbolic reflection on a pivotal moment in British history, encapsulating the nation’s complex emotions during the BREXIT referendum. The poem delves into the decline of Britain, highlighting the sentiments of loss and nostalgia that emerged during this significant period. This exploration of Britain’s changing landscape aligns with the broader themes of political poems, providing insight into the societal and cultural shifts that have defined the nation’s modern identity.
The opening stanza sets a sombre tone, with the lines “The dismal spectre of a dying stanza / gasps between the black and white keys / of a crumbling, tuneless piano.” This imagery reflects the fading of Britain’s cultural and artistic vibrancy in the wake of political upheaval. The use of a “dying stanza” and a “crumbling, tuneless piano” symbolises the erosion of the nation’s creative and intellectual spirit, a theme often explored in political poetry that critique the impact of political decisions on society’s cultural fabric. The stark contrast of “black and white keys” evokes a sense of lost harmony and balance.
In the second stanza, the poet introduces the imagery of “cigarette burns and brown stains” scarring the piano’s wooden top. These lines convey the lasting scars of conflict and political strife, with the “tarnished medals from recent wars and skirmishes” serving as a metaphor for the nation’s recent political battles. This depiction examines the consequences of conflict and division on a nation’s identity and unity. The reference to “The Beagle’s final days” further underscores the theme of decline, alluding to the end of an era of exploration and progress symbolised by Darwin’s historic voyage on the HMS Beagle.
As the poem progresses, the “town crier’s bell” ringing in empty streets and galleries symbolises the death of cultural and artistic expression in the city. This imagery highlights the sense of desolation and loss that permeated British society following the Brexit referendum, as the nation grappled with the implications of its decision to leave the European Union. The “sombre incantations” that continue “into the night” underscore the persistence of despair and uncertainty, reflecting the sentiments of many political poems that mourn the loss of cultural vibrancy in the face of political change.
The lines “Beyond all courage, obscure poets / shelter in the barricades of French cafés” evoke the isolation and marginalisation of artists and intellectuals in a post-Brexit world. The image of poets seeking refuge in “French cafés” alludes to the historical tradition of artists finding solace and inspiration in foreign cultures, now a distant memory for those who feel alienated in their own country. This theme of exile and longing is a common motif in political poetry, where artists grapple with the realities of their changing world and the loss of a sense of belonging.
The reference to “Vincent” and his “sunflowers and bright yellow fields” suggests the tragic figure of Vincent van Gogh, symbolising the loss of hope and the fading of dreams. The imagery of his sunflowers perishing in “evening’s fading light” speaks to the broader theme of decline and despair, capturing the mood of a nation facing an uncertain future. This poignant portrayal of loss and nostalgia echoes the sentiments of many poems that explore the fragility of human aspirations in the face of adversity and change.
“Thursday, 23 June 2016” offers a compelling reflection on the nation’s turning point, capturing the essence of political poems that delve into the impact of political and societal changes on a country’s identity and culture. Through its vivid imagery and symbolism, the poem provides a poignant commentary on the decline of Britain’s cultural and intellectual heritage in the wake of the Brexit referendum. By drawing on historical and cultural references, the poet weaves a narrative of loss, nostalgia, and the inexorable passage of time, reminding readers of the importance of preserving and valuing the cultural contributions that define a nation’s identity, even amidst uncertainty and change.
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