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iliana
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since 2003-12-05
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0 posted 2004-06-05 03:36 AM


Joan was born in 1412, the year of the Dragon (Lung) in Chinese astrology.   Her birth month (born on January 6) was ruled by the Ox or buffalo (Niu). ////// The dragon traits indicate a person who is full of vitality and enthusiasm.  The Dragon is a popular and powerful individual, even with the reputation of being foolhardy and a "big mouth" at times. The dragon is giving, intelligent, and tenacious, and knows exactly what they want and is determined to get it. The dragon’s presence disperses dark clouds. The person who is born in the year of the dragon has been chosen to tame the Fates.  If Dragons can learn to balance their quest for success with an appreciation for the little things, their life will be more than worthwhile. ////// Joan’s birth month (the ox or buffalo - Niu) indicates a person who is conservative, methodical, and good with their hands. They abide by the laws of nature - patiently pushing the wheel of fate. Thus, that person can weave their own destiny. A good lesson for mighty Oxen is to strive to overcome a judgmental nature that keeps them from getting close to others. If they can learn to value their own good qualities, they'll have more room in their hearts to invite others in. /////// In Western astrology, Joan would have been a Capricorn.  On investigation, the traits sound much the same.  Found this all very interesting even though I'm really not into all that.  

Voltaire, the famous philosopher, used Joan in a satire entitleed La Pucelle which he wrote over 200 years later to deface the actions of the Church, but belitted her in so doing.
  


Once red, your favorite color,
oh, those memories of Domremy
where you wandered through the forest
dancing round the faery tree.
Red, sweet color of berry’s fruit,
became a hellish hue.  Those
stains upon your holy wear,
became death’s taste for you.

And I say Voltaire did injustice
to mock you in his trade.
He did you a disservice for
you were, indeed, the Virgin Maid.  
I admit Voltaire was genius,
a sage wit for his time.
But I refute his treatise
for your sake, never mine.  
I suppose I will forgive him.
After all, he was a man.
And thinking with devices,
most likely, not his pen.  

I remember you that spring --
the rain and blood ran to pink
beads upon your solemn brow.
You wore those tears of disbelief,
sad armor for the bitter war.
The job assigned brought troubled soul.
Torment you suffered in your grief:  
“How can I kill, how can I, Lord.”

And you told me Michael spoke to you saying,
“Jehanne d'Arc, you must obey.”

“A master plan unfolds tonight.
You must surrender to the Light.
Do His bidding, do His will.
The master plan I can’t reveal.
But you must trust me, the plan’s divine.
It will show itself in time.  
The world is but a little thing;
reality's not as what is seen.  
Death and glory are fleeting scenes
in the mind of the Creator.”

It must have been a lonely thing
for you to struggle with the ring
of religious men, princes, kings.
And yet, to them you were just a pawn --
a piece they played for Charles’s throne.
Love, though you wished, was denied to you.
Yet, the fire that thrashed your flesh
revealed a love so ever true.  
The searing heat of the tempter’s quest,
never burned your purest heart.  

So, Jehanne, for you I will reprimand
Voltaire, tho' he's long since tested the Promised Land:  
“Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire),
my sour, funny friend, you never knew her.
There was never one whose heart was truer.  
I’m not saying you were wrong
to criticize what the Church had done.
What I tell you is who she was.
She was the fleurs-de-lis.
Had she not been,
you could have never rendered
your humanity changing philosophy.”

That said,
Jehanne, I know they reported you dead.
Burned at the stake,
history said.  
But I feel your spirit living on
in strawberry fields,
in faery tree songs.
And I could swear I saw you dance
in lily ladden groves
near Orleans, France.  




[This message has been edited by Sunshine (06-06-2004 02:29 PM).]

© Copyright 2004 J.A.A.Powell - All Rights Reserved
A Romantic Heart
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since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
1 posted 2004-06-05 04:28 AM


Very Nice tribute Jo~

Thanks! I enjoyed reading all the information...I like women that have courage, strength and the guts to change the world....we need more women like that than Barbie Dolls or playthings....

~ARH

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt with the heart."~Helen Keller (1880-1968)


iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
2 posted 2004-06-05 04:32 AM


A Romantic Heart, Joan of Arc has been my heroine since I was a very small child.  Studying her has been a real eye-opener for me.  Thanks for reading and your sweet post.   ....jo
A Romantic Heart
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since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
3 posted 2004-06-05 04:35 AM


A Great Role model! more girls should have Joan of Arc dolls instead of Barbie Dolls...

Joan of Arc was my favorite heroine Too!

Your welcome~

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt with the heart."~Helen Keller (1880-1968)


iliana
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4 posted 2004-06-05 04:40 AM


ARH -- I totally agree!  Good idea, I think you're onto something really big here!  
kayjay
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Oregon
5 posted 2004-06-05 06:21 AM


What an intriguing write! Great history of someone of almost mythic proportions and nice link to Voltaire, who wrote Candide, one of my favorites. A pleasure to read.  KJ

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
6 posted 2004-06-05 06:25 AM


kayjay - thanks for reading (pretty lengthy and I appreciate the time you took).  She's always been a favorite of mine and tonight I stayed up all night researching her.   ....jo
kayjay
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since 2002-06-24
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Oregon
7 posted 2004-06-05 07:18 AM


In Voltaire's, Candide, as you probably know, Dr Pangloss is always saying "I'm sure something wonderful is about to turn up."  (I'm probably rusty on the quote.)  I've always loved that character's name and tried to live his philosophy. Unfortunately, in the story as I remember it, he comes to doom.  Thanks again for your hard work in this research, it triggered a good memory.  Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
8 posted 2004-06-05 07:50 AM


iliana
A good piece of work, enjoyed the read.

Midnitesun
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Gaia
9 posted 2004-06-05 09:16 AM


What a history lesson woven within an awesome creative write!
I remember thinking she was wonder woman.  LOL at the way you spanked Voltaire.

Sadelite
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since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519

10 posted 2004-06-05 09:19 AM


she is true to your heart-an inspired piece of writing!  Excellent!  I couldn't put it down, wishing their was  more!
             Sadie

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
11 posted 2004-06-05 09:21 AM


What an intriguing, historical, fascinating, informative and very mature write! I was totally captivated, Illustrious Iliana!

Joan of Arc truly was a heroine and her legacy lives on through writes such as this!

Love & Light,
EA

wranx
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since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
12 posted 2004-06-05 09:24 AM


Yes! Very nicely done.
GG
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Lost in thought
13 posted 2004-06-05 09:34 AM


I'm definitely not into the astrology, but the poetry, yeah... that I'm into! And these lines right here sum up a truth that I have to remind myself every day....

But you must trust me, the plan’s divine.
It will show itself in time.  
The world is but a little thing;
reality's not as what is seen.  
Death and glory are fleeting scenes
in the mind of the Creator.”


That is the thing that keeps me up, in expectation of the glories of later, of heaven. But aside from those few lines, looking at the rest? Well I have to admit I'm horrible with history. I haven't done much study on Joan of Arc, what I knew was interesting, but you just made it fascinating. I'll have to be opening a few books...  
Awesome job!

Always, Alyssa

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
                  Joyce kilmer

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
14 posted 2004-06-06 12:39 PM


Alyssa, sweet angel, you are like her in many way as I read in your writng!  Thanks for your comments.   ....jo
Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
15 posted 2004-06-06 02:33 PM


She was the fleurs-de-lis.

~&~

Little girl...go to Serenity's thread in the Lounge...go directly there, and claim your tiara...

I've been computerless at home for a week plus...I'm slowly playing catch up, as well as capturing my own poems I've logged here, but were not updated to my back-up disk.  [SAVE SAVE SAVE]

I'm so very glad, Jo, that you write of historical events...I find that to be some of my most favorite kinds of poetry interpretation [I've done a few, myself... ]...

Hugs, you!

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
16 posted 2004-06-06 03:15 PM


Sunshine, you know I think you're an angel.  What sweet words you post here.  This tiara thing....do I need to ask for that.  I went to Serenity's Journal and read some things about it but not sure what you meant exactly.  Anyway, I got your meaning, and am totally flattered.   ...jo
Sadelite
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since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519

17 posted 2004-06-12 01:00 AM


In my opinion, this is your best yet.  The detail and message covered here flowed without a hitch.  It left room for the imagination, but gave a setting real enough to touch.  Your tackled a number of concepts and emotions within this one poem.  A masterpiece, Jo.   I'm going to put this in my library right this minute.   Oh, by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, big sis.  

           Sadelite  

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
18 posted 2004-06-12 01:34 AM


Thanks, Cathy, that means so much to me that you took time out of your very hectic situation to re-read this -- and for the birthday wish.  Love ya, jo  &
GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
19 posted 2004-06-12 01:40 AM


Thanks for your reply to my comment!
now to important part of my post...

BIRTHDAY!? Happy day to you Jo, I hope your birthday is great and that you find some time to relax and really enjoy it. Find pictures in the clouds, beauty in the stars, and smell some flowers today
you deserve a great day.

Always, Alyssa

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
                  Joyce kilmer

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
20 posted 2004-06-12 02:02 AM


Sweet Alyssa -- thank you so much.  I will try!  
Snowflake From Hell
Senior Member
since 2003-07-10
Posts 777
My own little Icey Oblivion
21 posted 2004-06-12 08:49 PM


very nice tribute...i didnt know all that at the very top either...wuite intriguing

The fear I see when I look in your eyes makes you believe I'm one of a kind

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
22 posted 2004-06-12 09:00 PM


Jo~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY~

This is a well researched piece~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

noles1@totcon.com

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
23 posted 2004-06-13 01:40 AM


Snowflake from Hell -- Thanks for reading.  I had a very interesting time researching the poem.  

Marge -- thanks for the BD wishes, and for your kind post.  

JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
24 posted 2004-06-13 02:05 AM


Fine interesting writing...James
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
25 posted 2004-06-13 02:15 AM


'Evenin', JamesLee -- thanks for taking the time to read and post.  It means a lot to me.  I know there was a lot of information here -- just one of those I had to get out.  
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