Diana - The Aftermath: Poem for a lost princess

Ted Hughes, the Poet Laureate, has penned a short poem to mark the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The 10 line poem contains a number of religious images and in the lines "Holy Tragedy and Loss / Make the Many One" appears to echo the sense of national grief which has engulfed the country.

The poem ends with the image of "The Flower on the Gun" - a poignant reference to the horse-drawn gun carriage upon which Diana's coffin will travel on its way to Westminster Abbey.

Mr Hughes has asked that those who wish to publish the poem, in print or in any other media, make a donation to The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Mankind is many rivers

That only want to run.

Holy Tragedy and Loss

Make the many One.

Mankind is a Holy, crowned

Mother and her Son.

For worship, for mourning:

God is here, is gone.

Love is broken on the Cross.

The Flower on the Gun.

Copyright Ted Hughes