A 90-year-old poet has honoured The Queen’s record-breaking reign this year with a poem in her honour, and received a letter of approval from the Palace
Roderick Hynds from Portsmouth has written poetry for the last two decades, finishing over 200 of the lyrical verse, and sent his verse to The Queen to mark her special achievement.
Picture: i-Images
It all began when he left work:
“When I retired I thought ‘what am I going to do with myself now’ and my daughter suggested that I write poems for Christmas and birthday cards.
“I started writing a few. I got to one and I kept going and that’s how it started really.
“I got into the habit of it. I have written about everything – animals, different people, different occasions – anything that happens in life.
“A lot has happened of course. I have lost a lot of people. There have been happy ones and sad ones.”
A number of his works have featured the Royal Family; he wrote one when Prince Charles married The Duchess of Cornwall in 2005 and when The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married in 2011.
Mr Hynds was thrilled to receive a letter in repsonse to his poem.
“I’m really honoured,” he said.
“It’s exciting knowing that she has seen my poem. I like the Royal Family. I am a very patriotic person.
“Royalty is the country – that’s how important they are. They are loved all over the globe.”
Roderick’s poem is entitled ‘The Queen’:
Her Majesty the Queen has reigned supreme
Our longest reigning monarch that’s ever been
She has shared her love for our beloved country
Always with such grace, passion and identity.
Times may change and our life may alter
Her Majesty has ruled without a falter
With the calming influence of our lovely Queen
We have weathered the storms the world has seen.
With her steadfast husband his Highness Prince Philip
Who has stood by her side with never a blip
With his honesty and humour he brings the land alive
With Her Majesty the Queen they help us survive.
Congratulations Your Majesty from all your people
Let the bells ring out from every church steeple
For you Your Majesty we all will celebrate
For all over the world this is a special date.
All the world over just love our Queen
We all give thanks for who you have been
Long may you reign over us for many more years
Yes Your Majesty we all of us love you so dear.
