Catherine of Aragon

Poem about the first Wife of Henry VIII

Catherine, Queen of Aragon

She married Hal the King

Never guessing in her heart

The suffering this would bring

She was a Catholic good and true

Wholly devout in thought and prayer

One prayer her lips did utter most

For God to send her land an heir

But to her prayers no answer came

The babes she bore as quickly died

Cold and clammy lumps of flesh

How bitterly she cried

Henry held his weeping wife

Swearing he could not love her more

Promising they would find a way

He was false and evil to the core

For, ere long, he cast her out

On claims of infertility

Providing him a strong excuse

With younger women for to be

Catherine was shut behind stone walls

Scarcely could she see the sun

But however much this made her grieve

Her trials then had just begun

Henry wanted a new wife

A young and hot virginal w***e

To give him pleasure and a son

And Catherine was not wanted more

And so a swift divorce was sought

That to Catherine was a greatest sin

On that day she made a vow

She would not let Henry win

The power in her line and blood

She summoned to the fight

Kin and cousin besought the pope

To uphold the Catholic right

Years and years the battle raged

But Catherine never gave up hope

Until an act of madness rash

Henry cast out the pope

Now the King had all the power

Each subject vowed with his own life

To hold up his whim and word as law

So the King got a new wife

Catherine thought marriage should never end

Was doomed always to be alone

A wretched wife without a Lord

A Queen without a throne

When asked to peruse the fight

She never would say nay

She signed her letters always “Queen”

Until her dying day

Such courage did Queen Catherine show

In her despair deep

That I will ever honor her

And In my heart I’ll keep

Her memory to give me strength

In my own trials sore

For like the brave Queen Catherine

I am not wanted more

I’ll be lonely all my life

Whatever shall I do?

Catherine, Catherine, help me please

For I am just like you

Reviews

[RyeSolo]

the sublime narrative of history has strung the soothing cord

[DeerInHeadlights]

you are so very talented. I am so glad I came upon you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for sharing the powerful and interesting story. I like Catherine drive and energy to keep his place. I like the tone of the words leading to the strong ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Scott Durham]

You are an obvious talent of research and most admirably, of the quatrain. Do do do publish this and be ever secure that you pleased the most crotchety of critics on this blasted Cafe. I cannot say which attracts me more to read this over and over again: Whether it is your amazing control of the language, or the detail of the emotions, the layout, the attachment you give to the reader for our wise and handsome Catherine, you make this a thrill to examine as a richly profound document. I think us all being capable of feeling this emotional isolation, this physical isolation, and to express this how you did gave me shades of Thoreau and Orwell, Nabakov, and Graham Greene. My f*****g hands are sore from applauding you and I am taking notes on to improve my poetry by the sight of this amazing work you have wrought for us.
I think of the utter garbage that rampages the bandwidth on this site, and I think of the low dense writing I have contributed myself and find it all a shameful b*****d next to this fine thing you've made.
I am inspired to work on my long poem about Saint Brice now.
Consider me a huge fan.

[.]

I'm a sucker for anything historical and this was very well done. Those last lines really resonate. If there is any truth to them then keep your chin up, smile. You will be fine.

[θεά]

As a woman, as a scholar of history and as a lover of poetry, I urge you to publish this intricately well-woven historical poem.
I was moved by the already known narrative, and was held in awe with the carriage of your verse, and the deftness of your poetic prose.
This, indeed is magisterial!

Keep the writing flowing.

Best, M.

[Magda]

This helped. Beautiful words. Nice lyrically quality, does not feel forced at all. Connecting with the ones who came before us can always help those of us dealing with the same things today. I'll call you Queen, and please pray that I can keep my throne.

[Jim Gill III]

very clever word play and well captures the historical facts. Nice twist at the end, I hope its is not true!

[Krizito]

This was beautiful...the emotions captured in those words. I've a doubt anyone will think of Catherine Of Aragon in bad light after going through this piece...great work!

[J3ssInJupit3r]

Damn. This was amazing. I did not know anything about Queen Cathrine, and now that you have made it personal, I feel like I know her on a different level. This poem was inspiring to find the readers strength. Your rhythm and flow was absolutely incredible. I never once got caught up or confused. It flowed beautifully, and it was enlightening and strong. This was an incredible poem and you have a wonderful gift! Keep writing! Thank you for sharing!