"In Westminster Abbey", John Betjeman

Bio: John Betjeman (1906-1984) was named poet laureate in 1972, and is known for his nostalgic writings on contemporary topics. He celebrated classical architecture and often wrote satirical pieces about the superficial contemporary society around him, often criticizing it as well. 

In Westminster Abbey

Let me take this other glove off

As the vox humana swells, 

And the beauteous fields of Eden 

Bask beneath the Abbey bells.

Here, where England's statesmen lie, 

Listen to a lady's cry.

Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans.

Spare their women for Thy sake,

And if that is not too easy,

We will pardon Thy mistake.

But, gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,

Don't let anyone bomb me.

Keep our Empire un dismembered 

Guide our Forces by Thy Hand,

Gallant blacks from far Jamaica,

Honduras and Togoland;

Protect me Lord in all their fights,

And, even more, protect the whites.

Think of what our Nation stands for,

Books from Bootsand country lanes, 

free speech, free passes, class distinction, 

Democracy and proper drains.

Lord, put beneath Thy special care

One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.

Although dear Lord I am a sinner, 

I have done no major crime;

Now I'll come to Evening Service

Whensoever I have the time.  

So, Lord, reserve for me a crown, 

And do not let my shares go down.

I will labor for Thy kingdom,

Help our lads to win the war,

Send white feathers to the cowards 

Join the Women's Army Corps,

Then wash the Steps around Thy Throne

In the Eternal Safety Zone.

Now I feel a little better,

What a treat to hear Thy Word

Where the bones of leading statesmen,

Have so often been interred.

And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait,

Because I have a luncheon date.

This poem by Betjeman is clearly set in World War II era Great Britiain, where an elderly woman is praying inside Westminster Abbey, where English monarchs are crowned and famous Englishmen have been buried for centuries. We can determine the time in which the poem takes place because the woman is asking God to bomb the Germans - enemies of a Great Britain during WWII. Also,vin her prayer, the woman refers to her homeland as "the Empire" (13), which existed up through WWII.  Considering the setting - England in the 1940s - we find the elderly woman praying to God about the war. However, this poem also shows how Betjeman satirically pokes fun at typical Christians who pray to God for help, but that the expense of others. The woman assumes that the British Empire has contributed so much to the world - "Think of what our Nation stands for, books from Boots and country lanes, free speech, free passes, class distinction, democracy and proper drains" (19-22) that they deserve to be saved from all harm.  She also believes that, simply because she is praying for help, that she deserves to hold a higer power over others who worship God. She ends the poem - in which she has spent her time praying for the demise of others in order to bring her prosperity - assuming that she has done the duties of a good Christian, but must hurry along because she has a lunch date. She is desperately praying to God to save her and her country, but cannot take any more time out of her day to pray or to thank God for being kind and merciful and generous, but must move on to something better waiting for her.