Our uncrowned king

Where are you now
our uncrowded king?
in our land beset
with endless woes.
A land of self
of opportune of spite,
of endless promise
and vanity pose.
A land for the people
manifesting hope
your mantra given
to the ignorant mob.
But the promise has
tarnished, receded, devolved
defiled by the charlatan,
and the moral slob.
Your diction elegant
your posture strong
a man for us all
our voice of truth.
How the truth has fallen
ravaged by corruption
preying on our innocent
and betraying our youth.
Your conspirators gathered
enemies of envy
armed with slander
but you still stood.
Yet your mortal affection
held it's own dagger
You were valiant till the end
doing what you could.
Where are you now
our uncrowded king?
in a land of the selfish
value is gone.
Ireland for the Irish
for the homeless and hungry
for the sick and weak
not just the strong.

*tribute to CS Parnell, late 19th century political leader of the Irish Home Rule party