Political Theatre
Feb 18 2009


In the House of Parliament
the Ministers of the Crown
and Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
face off across an aisle
2 sword-lengths wide.

The Speaker
in his long black robe
occupies a throne.
There is a Sergeant-at-Arms
who wears a funny hat
and carries a Mace —
the preposterous rod
he will use to subdue
recalcitrant law-makers.
Members stand
on points of order,
declaim
for the benefit of hometown votes,
and feign outrage at waste
and government pork.
There are catcalls,
the pounding of fists,
indignant snorts.

Students watch wide-eyed
from public galleries,
confined to whispers.
They would rather see a free-for-all
a brawl
a swordfight,
but settle
for the honourable gentlemen
shouting insults —
sharpening their wits
from a harmless distance,
the length of 2 swords.

The ceremonial Mace, carried by the Sergeant-at-Arms in the House of Commons. His counterpart in the Senate is known as the Usher of the Black Rod.