After the royal wedding: What does it mean to be “royal”?

KW writes: The wedding is over. The vows are made. The world is reviewing the hoopla and eye-candy. I, personally, have many concerns with the purpose of royalty. I was waiting to dive in with analysis and critique while two real-live people were contemplating such an important step. But, now that Kate and Will have taken their leap of faith, maybe it is time to reflect on what monarchy (and empire) mean?

One of my friends has dived in on FaceBook. She noted (quite emphactically) that a lot of England’s wealth and tradition are related to colonizing and exploiting other parts of the world. And, having lots of wars. Seeing all the military uniforms as part of a religious ceremony was one of the things that didn’t sit well with me. Also, the fact that so many people are distracted by the hoopla, when they have their own lives, responsibilities, and countries to take care of.

Hope you might make your own comments — good and bad — in the comments. And, here is a poem I had written reflecting on Princess Diana’s wedding. It was written after she died…

The Bluish Light, 1997

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A poem inspired by the mine rescue…

[Hope you will take a few moments to read my poem. Though, if you are looking for miner Victor Zamora’s own words, there are excerpts from one of his poems at the Latin American Herald Tribune: here.]

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Princess Jessica of Chile

He, being first thought dead
and now weary from the long ordeal

She, having transformed her worries
into curling hair, polished lips,
and the desire to become
a symbol of welcome and life to him

He, stepped out from the cage that
pulled him up from underground

She, sending their child ahead
as an emissary of hope
with the first hug

He, slightly disoriented
then remembers he has her
Has this treasure of life
this alliance he formed and nourished
this partnership and comfort he can return to

She sees it is time to step towards him
with her beauty, and compassion,
and jewels of grace.

They remake their union
in a long, slow
in a long, slow nearly forever embrace

Her crown topples to the ground

For a moment, no one sees
it is a hard hat in place of royal jewels
a miner’s helmet falling to the earth,
bearing witness, bringing attention

a miner’s life falling to the earth
with the eyes of the world

poem by Kimberly Wilder

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