It was The Times’ obituary of Benjamin Disraeli
Where the phrase ‘angels in marble’ appeared:
Disraeli was credited with discerning the outline
Of the working class Tory voter,
As yet unformed and inchoate,
But one that could be fashioned
Through ‘One Nation’ Conservatism,
Emphasising tradition, Empire and social reform;
I was reminded of that today down at Wallbridge,
Talking to Natasha about her carving by the canal,
It reminded me of a First Nation totem pole,
And the trading of Stroud Scarlet with the Iroquois;
And without wanting to dip my toes in the waters
Of semiology, structuralism, post-structuralism,
Deconstructionism, post-modernism and inter-textuality,
I plucked up the courage to ask her what it all meant.
She generously allowed my interpretation as valid,
But drew my attention to the kingfisher on the side,
How the top section depicted the canal builders,
The area below, the canal restorers,
The sinuous lines denoted the canal itself,
Whilst at the bottom was the entrance to Sapperton tunnel.
And that opened my eyes.
Sometimes, Mr. Gove,
You have to ask the experts.