The Other Ste. Jeanne
(from my thesis collection: Warriors, Mothers, and Queens)
Alliances outweighed
a raised shoulder,
a limp,
an unruly spine.
Two children trembled before a bishop.
Neither was of age,
neither desired the other.
A bitter spouse makes a poor bedfellow,
and as he ascended the royal ladder,
he found means to shed a twisted wife.
Thought a title and riches would appease —
how little he knew.
No longer queen, she found refuge
with her goddess, founded an order for prayer.
10 thoughts on "The Other Ste. Jeanne"
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In the end, a victory? Am I reading it right? Great details here. I love it that it reads as a mystery.
Thank you, Linda!
Interesting history poem! I love those stories. They had hard lives in many ways, those prominent families, and all that scheming for power made them even more miserable.
The damage that was done. Smh As we witness in the 20th century even.
From a thesis collection? Where can we read it? This is powerful- from the first chilling tone to the cold ambition of this man. Then freeing! Those last two lines are a joy to read. “she found refuge” and “founded an order from prayer” !!
Thank you, Michele, I complete my MFA at UKy in May 2022, so the thesis should be out of embargo. I’ve been hoping to find a home for it (published chapbook) but with my health issues, I haven’t pushed myself to submit as I should. I hope to do better. LoL Some of the poems in that collection have been published.
I, too, love your stories of powerful women. That thesis sounds so intriguing! Congratulations on completing the MFA and hope the poems find a home!
Thanks ever so much, Sylvia. The title of my thesis collection is: Warriors, Mothers, and Queens: Weighty Women of Myth and Legend. 😎
What Sylvia said.
These poems are deserving of a good home!
Especially love, “A bitter spouse makes a poor bedfellow,”
Thank you so much, Pam!