The Foal Who Might Have Been an Untamed Stallion
A prince was just a swimming boy once
(Though destined for the polo course), but still
A little lad like others . . . and no dunce
About controlling nannies. He was shrill
In his refusal to be bossed around
There on that Baltic beach. His lips turned blue
Because he flatly wouldn’t give his ground
About the right to stay and play right through
The chilly afternoon, his shrimping net
Abandoned as he gamboled in cold pools
Along the coast. Each was reprimand was met
With iceberg-like determination. Mules
Could not be more rebellious. Yet the scene
Changed. Philip ended paced behind the Queen.
This poem is part of a shorter sonnet sequence within this large sonnet sequence called The Encyclopedia Sonnetica. The shorter sonnet sequence is called “Philip, Prince of Greece and Great Britain.” I recommend you read this poem where it is set in its sonnet sequence. To do that, search for “Philip, Prince of Greece and Great Britain” here in The Encyclopedia Sonnetica.