Joan of Arc

From Versailles: Painting of Joan of Arc at the siege of D'Orleans

I love Joan of Arc.  A girl and a peasant, she led armies and saved a nation.  She epitomizes the importance of listening to yourself (and your God) and not being confined by societal norms.  She stayed true to herself and gave her life for her beliefs.   

So it should come as no surprise that I loved this letter penned in the name of Joan.  It is beautifully done.

I actually wrote an iambic pentamiter poem about Joan of Arc in high school.  I dug it out of storage after I read the letter.  It is not perfect iambic pentameter, but I am pretty proud of my effort, especially as it will probably be the only iambic pentameter poem I will ever write.   

Joan of Arc

A saint, a soldier, woman, Joan of Arc

Redeems her people from despair.  The one

And only able maid who sets her mark

On freedom for the French.  For there is none

Devout as she.  Angelic messengers

Descend from heaven.  "God will help thee see

The way to crown the King."  She harbingers

The day of greatness France shall have.  Her plea

To see the King ignored, ridiculed. 

Amidst the crowd he hides--a glance, a look

A smile, she kneels before her King.  He ruled

That Joan was sent by God.  To him a rook

She was.  He would betray her.  Engalish taint

Her trial.  The people cry, "We burned a saint."

May 23rd is the day in 1430 that Joan was captured by the English.  I remember it every year.