Death comes and clasps me close
With no remission claimed.
So many battles each hard fought
All left me live but maimed.
So Death come you apace
Of flesh I leave no trace
My spirit hopes for grace.
I crave release
My soul pleads peace.
No father held me dear
Nor mother kept me near
For king and queen love bartered hard:
Their gift to me was fear.
So Death come you apace
Of flesh I leave no trace
My spirit hopes for grace.
I crave release
My soul pleads peace.
My lot so early cast
The race is done at last.
No wars disfigured England's earth
I held to duty fast.
So Death come you apace
Of flesh I leave no trace
My spirit hopes for grace.
I crave release
My soul pleads peace.
No crown weighs down my brow
No plots can fright me now.
Confession's made: I make my end:
My reign reflects my vow.
So Death come you apace
Of flesh I leave no trace
My spirit hopes for grace.
I take release
My soul prays peace.
Author notes
Ann Boleyn's daughter, Elizabeth I of England.
A contest entry
- #116 Winklings on Wednesdays: Write a poem about women in death by Lyndon.
1500 points, ended September 15, 2008, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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I love this
Its amazing
It made me cry, but in a good way
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Hmmmm...gold!!! and why should it not? rare style, I knew you once to be e free verse poet. The world has changed!!! lol! beautiful, the repetition for each verse makes it stronger.
Love and light,
Lencio
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Yes, it can be and often is a hard life, but the one thing it gives you if you let it, is mercy and there are a lot of people with easy lives who don't know the meaning of the word, you deserved a gold for this and maybe even a medal for your life.
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nice write . . congrats on the trophy
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Congratulations for your gold - well deserved!
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A lovely poem with a tone that suits the theme and the fearful time, very good reading
and congrats.
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Nicely written and it flows well too.
Congatulations on your gold cup.
Paul
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Apart from the note
I am unsure whether I would have guessed Elizabeth Tudor. I suppose I may have. Unsure!
You modelled this poem well on the example given.
Poignant and tender.
Many lines ring for me:
"No father held me dear
Nor mother kept me near"
are examples. Lyndon. 
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This is superb! I really like the reflective nature of this poem and the wonderful voice that it gives to Elizabeth the last stanza was very fitting and I love the way you have maintained Elizabeths' steady determination to the end I wish you the best in the contest
Keep writing
Polly
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Hi, a sad but beautiful poem, aml Di
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Hi mum. An excellent write. Lovely depth of feeling.
Excellent use of repetition. Good flow, rhyme and tone. Good word choice, alliteration and assonance. Well penned. Best wishes in the contest.
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She reigned long and well, our virgin Queen.
You have writen an insightful poem about her. She was older when she died and she had succeeded a lot. You have told this story as Elizabeth reflects over her life.
'My reign reflects my vow,' I think is the line where you really have impact and tell how proud Elizabeth was. I hope so.
Great poem.
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There were no easy times for Elizabeth I, were there? "I held to duty fast." This is the courageous end of a strong woman, and the rhythm of your lines shows her mental discipline. I like this rhyme very much, best of luck in the contest.
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