The Muster, by Kate Vale (UK) 2024
Is She, bright white in carriage throned,
Her troops en masse, strict ranks conform,
beneath a Standard pennant flag,
as if, as passed, fresh wight in form?
Marks fluid, inked, is this tattoo -
like passings out to past belong -
the military, best of show,
prefigured, not as go along.
Assembled, gathered on parade,
so passing muster, tourist too,
the knee high view of passer-by;
I hear the sounds, as sight, ring true.
Clipped hooves clop, stirrups, reigns that guide?
You know that clank - boots, rifles, steel;
attest lies with vox populi -
Divine right rooted - service zeal?
Published by The Ekphrastic Review, 6th September 2024
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