I said, "De la paix du ciel,
je suis venu pour la guerre."
Lamb, lioness, God's own girl.
Now, in autumn,
I light candles for those I pray for,
and dance on the graves of the rest.
A strong heart waits for you,
My Love,
here in my body's dust.
_____
A 55 for Kerry.
"De la paix du ciel, je suis venu pour la guerre." = "From the peace of Heaven, I have come for the war."
Trés bien... Jeanne d'Arc probably didn't intend to lead into the war...
ReplyDeleteI love this line: "Lamb, lioness, God's own girl." ... And the way the French sounds when read aloud.
ReplyDeleteDamn this is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe ending here is quietly powerful. Loved. Mosk
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely, Shay--really fierce. k.
ReplyDeleteTotally perfect and stunning.
ReplyDeleteEverything admirable, magickal, strong and bright about the female spirit is shown here, and that quote of Jehanna's is sonorous and beautiful. I know she is one of your heroes, and I think it is for all the right reasons, even if like Cassandra, she was given no credence and betrayed by those for whom she did the most.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. "A strong heart waits for you, My Love...."
ReplyDeletetres tres bon !
ReplyDeleteyour souls have such vim and vigor and lust for life (or death).
ReplyDeleteI loved the "dancing on the grave" image.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never heard Susan Boyle's version of that song. Lovely.
'Lamb, lioness, God's own girl' – what a great line!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was a quote from Joan; thank to the commenters for enlightening me.
What is your favorite book version? Mark Twain? I've always been fascinated with her and am reading Twain's version right now as you reminded me I have it. "Mark loves it best of all his books, because he loved Joan". Anyway, your poem is beautiful and the conflicting elements remind me so much of the attributes of November itself!
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved the song. She's an inspiration too!
DeleteAn angel of light here to recover earth for heaven, white a mission dear, fine write
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
Beautiful, Shay!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I didn't miss this exquisite 55! You know how to pack a lot of emotion into a few lines.
ReplyDeleteYou sure do pack it in! I love your ending and I know a few granite stones worthy of dancing on~
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I've visited here, but I'm so glad I did. I'll be back. Your poetry always zings me, makes me feel something.
ReplyDelete