Scaled Dragons
armoured Knights,
Flags of red crosses on white
For so long appropriated by the far right.
But the England I celebrate
Is a pick and mix of influence,
A rich mosaic,
Shakespeare and Chaucer’s style
To me are harmonious with Meera Syal.
So while I eat my Sephardic chips and fish,
This symbolic dish,
I remember one thing,
Our ancient ability to welcome people,
Our plurality is what makes us great,
Starting with our eastern patron saint.
This blessed isle,
this old/new,
This England.