I Heart The UK...

...and I don't care who knows it! I'm fed up of countless British people hating their own country. I know many people love it, but I seemed to always meet the haters whilst traveling. I love the UK, and I love the rare, fleeting patriotic spirit brought about by the royal wedding. If I was more cynical, I'd suggest people are feeling happier towards the country because of the day off, and not the royals...but hey, whatever the reason, it's still injected some much-needed love into people's hearts. To celebrate, I've adapted sonnets by two of Britain's greatest ever poets, Elizabeth Browning (original poem here) and the great Bard himself (original poem here), to highlight some of the UK's best assets...as well as adding a cheeky one of my own at the end. Enjoy!

ENGLAND...

How do I love thee? Let me count the pies,

Chicken, lamb & mint, and steak & ale,

Add chips and gravy, you cannot fail,

An accompanying beer is always wise.
Devonshire pasty, oh how I love thee,
Also seaside-bought greasy fish 'n' chips,

I know each bite adds an inch to my hips

Yet I still add salt and vinegar with glee.

There's one dish, England, I almost forgot,

Thy lovely roast dinners on a Sunday,

With stuffing, sprouts, roast potatoes, the lot,

I love thee more than this poem can say.
No-one should say English food's bad- it's not!
I'll always love thy pub grub anyway.

Shall I speak of you on a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate,

The British are so used to drizzly grey
That they strip off at an alarming rate!
'It's lovely out there!' 'Oh, isn't it nice!'
'I read today that its hotter than Spain!'
'The driest in years, we'll all pay the price!'

'Don't worry dear, it won't last, it will rain.'

Suspicion is raised as soon as the sun

Dares to shine more than 24 hours,

'Quick! To the beach! Let's drink Pimm's! Let's have fun!',

Tomorrow's forecast shows heavy showers.'
Some might moan about Britain's weather,

But rare sunny days bring us together.

**********

Us Brits always moan

about what we lack,

looking overseas,

always looking back.

What we REALLY lack

is some British pride-

all we need to do

is just look outside.

For such a small island,

lots of stunning coast,

lush green countryside,

and history to boast.

If they seek beauty

in their diverse land,

then British people

may just understand

that the UK is

a great place to be.

I hope in their hearts,

Brits agree with me.

Picture Sources:

I Heart UK: 1872 Clothing

Devon Picture: my very own!