Joan of Arc
prophesying
to the Dauphin
Stricken by brilliant grace
or madness, or both
Fevered warrior
driven by her god
for righteousness whispered
in a fractured mind
Voices haunting
sometimes screaming
Tell it all, tell it all!
Brook no opposition
narrowing in
upon the royal
hidden and disguised
Prove your worth
your insight and foresight
your commune
with the divine
While the prophecy
brings intelligence,
hope and victory
on ambitions wings
all is blessed
Then fortune changes
Voices betray and lie
In thicket and flame
is she now dressed
Joan of Arc
Chosen one
of a devil or a god
or the whims
of chemistry
not recognised
or understood
Was it heresy
or the loss of victory
or just the creeping
dreadful politic
seizing at the weakness
of madness and belief?
Led her yet
to the executioner
And her frenzied
and her fiery
and her final
painful grief?
(c) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved
helenvalentina 
Wow that is awesome…. what a great story within your poem. Poor gal… so much hate and judgement went to her demise… good job!
Thank you – yes – such a tragic life in so many ways… 🙂
Your poetic chronicle of Jeanne d’Arc is knowledgeable and penetrating. Narrating history of this depth in a poem is risky e.g. detail and facts can detract from harmony and impinge on tone, but you have obviously considered your capabilities bravey and pulled it off admirably. The factual fits into the shape while allowing your lovely lyrical personification to emerge in phraseology, metaphor, rhythm and spiritual revelation. I think your allusion to being dressed in thicket and flame is worthy of special mention for its dignified reference to her immolation and in your stated tendency for musing, you have closed with a lovely pondering inflection. This poem is passionate and intense, violent and graceful. Very well done.
Wow, thank you so much – both for your kindness and for the depth of your analysis and feedback, it is really, really generous and so much appreciated! 🙂
Really nice job capturing the essence of Joan,
Thank you so much, I really feel for her history. 🙂