Allegiance. Poem by Bill Mitton

This is my land
it the land of my birth
but it is only my land.
Not my father's nor mother's.
It is the land of their
history’s persecutors.

Yet, it is the land I love
The land I long for
when I’m away from it.
I am part of its fabric
It‘s part in my heritage
is cruel and painful.
but it is the land I claim
this I cannot nor
would not change.
Though I will always
bless the Black Rose
I Rose I love is Red

My life is clothed
in this island and people
they belong to me and I to them.
Never would I deny
my roots or history.
Yet across my heart
is written, one word
England.
She is both my
paradox, and my love