The Storm Clouds Gather ...

Clouds gather in our northern skies
Europe's worried – no surprise
Britain, sadly “Great” no more,
Has lost its fabled fighting claw.

Set on a course to stand alone
With treaties to be made at home
No leadership - wild disarray
Who rules at N° 10 today?

“The Sceptred Isle”* of John of Gaunt
In Shakespeare's play, now seems to taunt
England “set in a silver sea”
With a future no one now can see...

The metaphoric clouds bring rain
Europe's storm-ridden once again
Echoes of a Thirties past ...
Will Europe's unity now last?

News flashes light up the dark sky
Will the people's will prevail? and why
Did the P.M. promise what he did?
Was Cameron's** gamble a lone bid?

In the aftermath, the bells have tolled
Many well-known heads have rolled
Weeks of turmoil and confusion:
European unity - an illusion?

(c) Poet in the woods 2016

* Richard II Act II scene 1
** David Cameron British P.M. 2010-2016