Carol Ann Duffy Pens Explosive Verse regarding Trump’s UK State Visit
Former UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has written an evocative poem reimagining the US president’s state banquet as occurring within a bombsite.
Duffy, serving as the prestigious role from 2009 to 2019, contrasts debris and destruction against sparkling jewels of the “great and good” in her poignant lines.
Ceremonial Reception and Formal Dinner
The president and first lady Melania arrived at Windsor Castle this week and were welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who then accompanied the couple to meet Charles and Camilla.
King Charles will hold an official dinner with over 100 attendees at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening, where the two leaders are scheduled to address the audience.
International Unrest and Literary Reflection
Amid the ceremony, the poem named STATE/BANQUET encourages the audience to ponder on ongoing global strife, including hostilities with Russia and the crisis in Gaza.
Israeli forces declared a “temporary” route for civilians fleeing the urban area this week, while an extensive military operation began after intense bombardment.
Based on reports, most of Gazan deaths since October are non-combatants.
Duffy’s Verse: STATE/BANQUET
How it glitters and shines, The Grand Service,
among the rocks and the rubble,
set on a breezeblock horseshoe table,
multiple goblets for each guest.
Requiring eight servants three weeks to clean —
metal plated with a sheet of gold —
even the concrete dust appears glamourised
with destruction are decked with bright banners for freedom.
As appetizer, fish course filled with seafood paste,
placed on a bed of leeks with white wine sauce.
Poached Sandringham venison with truffles as main course,
followed by dessert, accompanied by vintages,
A fine Bordeaux, 1990.
Delicious. Hear the fanfare on the bombsite
while dignitaries pick their way through,
with a starving youth peers from a damaged wall.
The president is the first American head of state to receive another royal welcome to the UK. Those in their second term usually offered a casual meeting with the royal family rather than a banquet.
The writer, the inaugural female to hold the poet laureate role, previously expressed feelings of discouragement due to global politics, citing the “evil twins” political upheavals.
