THE ROYAL PAIN
He’s had all the royal breaks.
His every wish was fulfilled.
He could go on a bender,
drunk as a skunk, end up
naked in a ditch, and the press
would chalk it up to
youthful royal wildness:
Poetry for the masses.
In a world hungry for virtue,
there is diminishing patience
for the antics of the royals,
living in palaces that have
many suites – but no room
for commoners, nor
succor for the poor.
Perhaps William will rise to lead
a new England. A good start,
taking steps to dismantle
the British Behemoth,
the burden borne by the masses:
Royalty.
Privilege.
Birthright.
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Jan 14, 2013 @ 17:34:49
ah … but what of Harry?
Jan 14, 2013 @ 17:46:20
It is a royal pain–very well done Amy!!
Made me laugh! Also, thank you for the love notes on my blog, they mean so much–love to you–we be jammin!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:06:24
I don’t share the enthusiasm many people have for the British royals. The Queen has always reminded me of my mother (not a good thing), and i just don’t see what good they do. I liked Diana, but the rest of them can go suck an egg, as far as I’m concerned.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:59:14
was telling shay the other day about being forced to watch downton abbey…i just dont have the desire to sit and watch an hour of lords with money and the servants that love them….i guess here in the states we support out elected royalty…smiles.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 20:16:50
still don’t quite “get” the royals
Jan 14, 2013 @ 20:28:28
I, too, have a hard time understanding how the House of Windsor continues to exist in its current form.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 21:37:00
It would be nice if every leader born to privilege rose to the challenge like that…
Jan 14, 2013 @ 22:09:48
An anachronism of our times. The British Royal house sustains itself not of its own but with the British nobility giving it the added strength. The Upper House, House of Lords institutionalized that strength. My feel is, the British Royal house will always be there as long as the House of Lords exist. Great thoughts Amy!
Hank
Jan 15, 2013 @ 00:22:32
TO ALL: Sorry for a batch response. Actually, I was thinking of Harry when I wrote this, what with all his “nakey” antics! The larger picture is something Brian was onto – although I don’t think of our royalty here as elected officials, although it feels as though the Senate is the House of Lords and the Representatives are the House of Commons…. The real royalty of America is based on the same thing as Brit royalty: Birthright, inherited wealth, and inbreeding. I mean, just LOOK at George W. Bush and tell me there’s no first cousin somewhere in the lineup!! Thanks, All, Amy
Jan 15, 2013 @ 05:02:56
Love it Amy.
Poor royals and their fish bowl lives. I live in England for half the year and see the giant to-do around these kids and the reast of the family. But, for the most part, they are less stupid carying-ons and more public service doing-good. Don’t think I’d have liked being born to the crown. 
Jan 15, 2013 @ 06:34:53
On the flip side, I kinda feel sorry for them…
Jan 15, 2013 @ 06:39:44
Lord … this is good … love it … makes you think….
Jan 15, 2013 @ 06:54:40
Hi Amer – thought this was actually a thoughtful social commentary on “young Harry” – I’ve always thought of the “royals” as the country’s “family” and the resultant slack given for all sorts of behaviors – the same sorts of rationalizations created and accepted by “lesser born ” families. We don’t have the same pulls and/or familial identification with our politicos – Out moded in today’s world? Politically, morally, socially, yes – but a national familial “love” with its inherent conflicts and ambivalence and desire to belong – lasts obviously through centuries. A really good poem pointing to these issues and boy oh boy what a unique take on the Wordle words.
Jan 15, 2013 @ 06:57:49
I love your comment on Bush, too true! This is good, Amy. Thanks for bringing Prince Harry to the Whirl. Your poem leaves a lot of judgment up to the readers…I like when that happens…
Jan 15, 2013 @ 09:24:57
Very Amy. Well done, M;lady!
Jan 15, 2013 @ 10:30:00
I don’t have time for the royal family myself. Well said, Amelita.
Pamela
Jan 15, 2013 @ 13:12:13
I thought this was a critique of Romney until I read further. Loved your sense of humor and caustic eye, my sistah from another mister, love POp-o Mosk
Jan 15, 2013 @ 23:17:03
Bruddah mine, since almost everything I write was a critique on Romney these past months, I can relate!! As for my caustic eye, you should check out my Withering Squint of Impending Doom. Learned it from my mom, ha ha. Ameleh
Jan 15, 2013 @ 13:13:54
Your use of the prompt words was seamless – they fit so naturally in what you wrote. Deftly done, and a delight to read.
I so love seeing the many different places writers go with the same words.
Jan 15, 2013 @ 15:09:59
Thank you for your visit to my wordle. I like your piece too. I sometimes feel quite sorry for anyone who lives in that kind of fishbowl. While there is much grousing about young princes and princesses – they do often grow up to be fine folks. I was watching a history show about the castle that is used in Downingtown Abbey and While I can’t remember the Earls’ name – One of the Earls’ wives (who was wealthy in her own right) turned the castle into a hospital during WWI. Even turning one of the rooms into an operating theater for the doctors who traveled to the castle to do surgery on the weekends. One of the reasons for filming in that castle, is to earn money for the upkeep of the building itself and the surrounding grounds. I think the current (Lord) Earl Canarvin (not sure of the spelling) is in line for the throne right after William and Kate’s, yet to be ‘new arrival’ in July of this year.
Jan 15, 2013 @ 23:20:24
Jules, interesting info, thanks! My objection to royalty has more to do with the fact that they own so much land, so much gold, so much MUCH that they should invest it for the good of the people. Help ease the crunch on the Pound Sterling. Buy the barristers some new wigs, you know? I, too, saw the Downton special. There are some socially conscious royals (Charles is a proponent of organics), but it doesn’t square with their ridiculous sense of privilege. I mean, the hats alone… Thanks for a wonderful comment, Jules. Amy
Jan 16, 2013 @ 00:52:20
Yes, the hats alone. And the ‘you first right after me”..
Don’t you think the barristers should do away with those wigs? Really? What century are we living in?
But traditions are what they are. Did you know that in the military, at least the Army (US) when there is a change of command (New officer in a unit) there is a hoopla party. Guess who pays,- the new guy or gal in charge. And on top of that the fancy dinner dances they have to buy tickets, clothing and such that is mandatory attendance.Here’s your new post. Here’s the new pin. We had a family member go through this recently. Ask by the higher ups do you want this big celebration for the change of command? They said they’d pass this time. But the high-muck-muck didn’t like that answer and made ‘em have it anyway. That’s two to three hundred bucks could have fed a whole lot of hungry folks instead. Most Army officers have to pay for their own fancy dress uniforms too. Not like they haven’t done enough putting their lives at risk, eh?
Jan 16, 2013 @ 00:35:55
After British royalty’s long and bloody history it perhaps is a relief to the British to have a monarchy that is mainly symbolic with no real power. This is demonstrated so well by the antics of the young and not so young royals who take the minds of the British away from the fading empire that was supposedly so great and powerful. Democracy with a royal head of state is absurd but curiously is a stable entity…and good for a laugh.
Jan 16, 2013 @ 22:57:06
It does seem a prince has a standard he must live up to….sadly they fall just as those in the lower class…I do not understand though the continuance of royalty who take so much money from the masses.
Jan 17, 2013 @ 05:40:11
Do you think what you envision will ever happen?
Whirling with Bram Stoker
Jan 17, 2013 @ 21:12:31
One never knows what a new generation can achieve.
Jan 20, 2013 @ 10:14:57
Give me my humble bungalow over a castle any day. I like my freedom. And this poem of yours.
xoxoox
Jan 21, 2013 @ 03:21:22
I love your angle on this. Well done!
Jan 26, 2013 @ 22:57:18
Amy, that’s a sad poetry for the masses. Not that the masses read poetry, but you know what I mean. I like the alliteration in the second to last stanza.
Good to find you at The Sunday Whirl and to read your words again too.
Richard