JOAN THE MAID

JOAN THE MAID (a villanelle)

By Michael Fantina

A well-armed sylph she led a vast crusade
To drive the hated foe into the sea.
The world recalls the tale of Joan The Maid.
At Orleans she broke the tight blockade,
The fleeing English shouted, "Sorcery!"
A well-armed sylph she led a vast crusade.
She broke the English lines. Her men obeyed,
Went up the scaling ladders, breathlessly.
The world recalls the tale of Joan The Maid.
She crowned a crownless king, who then betrayed
This pious girl from distant Domremy.
A well-armed sylph she led a vast crusade.
They led her to that sullen promenade,
Where stake and faggots wait portentously.
The world recalls the tale of Joan The Maid.
Her martyr's death the Living God repaid.
A girl, she speaks to us from History,
A well-armed sylph she led a vast crusade,
The world recalls the tale of Joan The Maid.

sylph: a slender graceful woman or girl (I had to look that one up)