h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Found a poem I thought you might like

"The Pawns" by Frank Betts

Purple robed, with crowned hair,
Caesar sits in a golden chair,
And a proud, cold Queen beside him there.
Knights in armour, many and tall,
And the holy bishops throng the hall,
Why trouble yourself with the pawns at all,
Iscariot?

Years agone and a world away
Lived one who did not praise the play,
And he loved the pawns the best, men say.
And he damned the pieces for their pride;
So you sold him to be crucified,
And bared unto the spear his side
Iscariot.

Knight nor bishop can resist
The pawns of this Antagonist
Whose countenance is dark with mist.
The game goes on and will not wait,
Caesar is gripped in a deadly strait-
What if the pawns should give checkmate,
Iscariot?

Frank Betts was a civil servant, Christian socialist, poet and self-taught classicist. He was also the father of Barbara Castle, a politician I admire because she held high office without ever losing her integrity or passion.

Wow, Blackberry Cat, that is awesome! Amazing and wonderful. I am going to save it to notepad, it's fabulous, and thank you so much for it. Just marvellous.
I have heard of Barbara Castle, but nothing in detail, not for years. Was she Minister of Transport in a Labour Government in the 1960s, or am I wrong?

I'm glad you liked it. I thought it was good.
You're correct. She was also Minister for Health in the 1970s and as a campaigner for better pensions a thorn in the side of Tony Blair until her recent death.

A thorn in Tone's side? That's got to be good!

She was a real fighter for what she believed in

I like that poem too

Glad to hear it

Just lurking here Adelaide. Innocently seeking profile of you. Shyness is a habit!! I like what you say elsewhere. Phew, this poem is a relief after "taking it offline" Is that for real? I've seen a thread, and contributed, elsewhere for that sort of thing.
"What is wrong with h2g2 Researchers" or similar.

Double thanks for the poem, Blackberry. Barbara was a gem.

Love, ed.

Hi, ed.
It's a brilliant poem, isn't it? So nice of Blackberry Cat to send it to me...
Yes, the 'Taking it Offline' thread is for real, though you gotta wonder, don't you? There are some people around, and a bit of nastiness with/around/connected to some people, but don't let it put you off!
Adelaide