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Death of a Princess (Terza Rima)

Missing image
~by Gregg Rowe~

One day, Di’s Prince came and for better or worse
July twenty-ninth of 'eighty-one, they’d wed
From that day forward she joined the Royal curse

A fairy tale story, paparazzi fed
Where we’d witnessed their historical marriage
At twenty, Di’s life starts, not thinking of death

She was whisked away, in a horse-drawn carriage
Cuddled next to her new husband, Prince Charles
Off to consummate their Royal heritage

A shy girl, a grown woman, primped to sparkle
For sixteen years she was photographed and stalked
Press churns out article after article

Privacy with family, rare where they walk
Fairy tale story ends, as time went by
Camilla, the mistress; the scorned princess, balks

People’s Princess gave the rallying cry
‘Free me, so I save myself, before I die.’

   

Raising two Princes under the watchful eye
Media continues invading their time
During this period she kept asking:  ‘Why?  Why?  Why?’

Future King of England, has Spencer bloodline
Single mom raising the next powerful man
This was the period where Di begins to shine

With careful planning, she creates a secret plan
To remain in our hearts – her cause becomes AIDS
Where everyone else has turned in shock and ran

Adding to the her list, wartime grenades
Princess Di shows her loving public she cares
Prince Charles, angry, calls in an ace of spades

Our Princess, involved in a foreign affair
But she had become a candle in the wind
No love throughout the world would let us prepare

Like an animal, she was out to be skinned
According to the media she had sinned

           

On the night of her marriage announcement
In a chauffeured car she had tried to escape
An enclosed tunnel, the fateful accident

No one wore the traditional mourning crepe
Bouquet by bouquet, placed by the palace
And media printed the recorded tapes

The public screamed of how they were so callous
While Di’s body laid in the morgue in France
Media continued to show their malice

The world waited patiently in mourning trance
‘Give our Princess the funeral she deserves!’
Queen and Charles did not take a private chance

On that fateful summer day, the world observes
Her chosen hymn:  I vow to thee, my country
Another horse drawn carriage, Di is perserved

Our Lady Spencer who would one day be
Queen, died stripped of title Her Royal Highness
A people’s princess, a people’s queen to me

Candle in the wind, a people’s queen no less
She  remains within us, a people’s princess


   

Author notes

Gold Trophy Winner of Pozo's Contest for 3575 Points!

Candle in the Wind -  Elton John's remake song of Marylin Monroes' Norma Jean song.

Hymn:   I vow to thee, my country
That is the title of the hymn that Di requested to have played at her funeral, according to her sister.

Refernces :

Elton John :   Candle in the Wind 1997  Compact Disque

TIME :  Commerative Issue September 15, 1997  Canadian Edition

LIFE :  Diana:  Portraits of a Lady  Collector's Edition   November, 1997

PEOPLE'S EXTRA WEEKLY :  All About Diana:  The Private World of a Princess   Spring 1998

Written June 23rd, 2004

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 35 of 35
  • Yvette Champ gold member
    November 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Oh, another coincidence, just before I clicked this I changed the CD for EJ's greatest hits V1 for a change and here you refer to his candle in the wind, which he played a special version of in honour of Lady Di.


    Am not an affianado of Terza Rima nor indeed any form per se, but I understand the intended rhythm, congratulations on the trophy.


    I am heartwarmed that you included her work with the grenades/landmines left that were/are still injuring children, indeed Di was chastized for that too.

    The song she chose, I vow to thee my country all earthly things above, is a stirring hymn, it was also my last school's national anthem.


    You captured her devotion and dedication.





  • pozo
    July 13, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    A really moving poem with good style about Princess Diana I liked this one a lot, it was especially moving towards the end
    Keep writing, this was a fantastic poem which was really well written A wonderful poem and tribute to Diana Thanks for entering my contest
    All the best,
    Pozo

  • IntricateLover
    February 5, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Very nice, I was rather young but I can still kind of remember hearing about Princess Diana's death in the news. Very tragic. I definately like your portrayal, an entire life story. Thank you for entering.
    Meg


  • Le Moxie Mox
    June 29, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for a wonderful read! Appropriate choice too because there is so much back in the news with Lady Di these days. Another autobiography coming but this one is all about smelling a royal rat me thinks

    Great job on your terza!

  • RoughRider
    June 25, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    Gregg my dear friend you do write from the heart and this was a beautiful tribute to a very beautiful woman. You just wowed me...


  • fishingwitch2
    June 25, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    clear, warm, well written

    As always, you write from the heart my dear friend. The shocking news of yer accident, put the whole world in mourning. She was loved by the people. Your poem was written with compassion for beautiful "LADY DI"..my blessings*
    Edited on Jun 25, 10:18 because '(sp)'.

  • thorned-vision
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    as far as I can tell, the only places the rhymes are off is in the second stanza, fed and death. announcement and accident are a bit awkward... but I supose it could work.


  • melons
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Hi, nice job with this. I still find it sad tthat she died.

    Mel


  • lordoftherings gold member
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    I have to discuss the rhyme scheme, it is detrimental to this form of poetry where it is:

    a b a
    b c b
    c d c
    d e d
    ending with a rhyming couplet of e e

    This is an Italian poem and I need to know which lines are off so that after the contest is over (at least this round) I can edit it because i cannot edit until the judges have decided if i remain in or not to go onto next round. Gregg
    Edited on Jun 25, 3:35 because ''.

  • thorned-vision
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    nice job, you really captured lady Di's personality. your rhyme scheme is off in a few stanzas, like the second. the message of this poem is such that rhyming isn't the focus though, so don't worry.


  • angelica silver member
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Magnificent tribute to a beautiful Lady

    Gregg, A wonderful Tribute to LADY DI she was indeed a beautiful caring LADY,one that I admired so very much. We were all shocked when we heard the news of her death and to hear the people lining the streets placing flowers everywhere is something we may never see again. Thank you for this~Love~Joan

  • assairaanh
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    i LOVED THAT so much, I miss Princess DI so much too =/ She was such a great person.


  • MargaretG
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Excellent!

    You have written magnificent terza rima in this poem to tell the story and the pathos of Diana. The final section is particulary moving, as you voiced the peoples' call for a fitting memorial.

  • RhiannonOset
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    I'm not British. Though I have British ancestors (so to speak) my Grandparents are from UK. And though I was born and raised South African my ties to England still call (pity I cannot afford the move.) I was shocked and saddened as was most of the world when Di was killed. I don't believe it was an accident - but I do wish they would just leave her alone! The woman was amazing and she died when she was guaranteed to remain amazing - whoever planned it slipped when they did it at the time they did. Still this is an exquisite write yet again. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful, moving and informative poem.
    LLL
    Rhi


  • nolazydaizy
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    this is a lovely tribute piece, the background info was well put together and gave some nice history. i remember being so completely shocked when i found out that she died, it was definitely a sad moment for the world. nicely done and good luck.

  • darkestlight
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Lovely

    wonderful way to put so much treagidy in a poem. I feel so sory for her. She seem to be such a loving person but humanity rarely understands this. Its much ezer to understand the evil, dirty, or bad side of people then to trust that a person can be good. And to be hounded for so much of ur life just because of who ur r or who u married, i can imagine i would keep my cool for very long. of corse i have a short fuse any ways. The back roud is a nice choice for this poem. I wonder how many roses the world gave to her?


  • -LizBTropez-
    June 24, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Impressive

    Excellent job, just as I'd expect from a talented poet like you. Thoroughly researched your subject, and wrote about it with such dignity and respect. Wonderful emotionally provocative write. Everything about this is amazing. You are a poet that should truly be admired. Hope you're doing well.


  • Desire gold member
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    One I admire at the time and to this day
    The Princess whose unselfishness gave life to many
    Who would have died painfully and alone
    She visited their homes while giving plenty
    Of her love for the children who were suffering
    Not looking at the color of their skin
    Embracing all who approached her with outstretched arms
    She would have been the idolized Queen of England

    Beautiful piece Gregg~ YOU did a fine job~
    Best wishes to you in the contest sweetie~
    I adore this young lady~
    Wept when she passed~
    Her legacy continues~
    Forever it will last
    and much love~Desire


    Edited on Jun 24 because ''.


  • hugh wyles silver member
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Dear Gregg,
    It would be an injustice indeed to disqualify your poem
    because you were forced to comform with the system limitations.
    I wonder though, whether the blue lefthand border has enough significance to warrant its taking up the room you need to keep your lines in full?
    Anyway, I applaud the story/poem. Good luck in the contest and in everything else buddy. Hugh.
    Edited on Jun 24 because ''.


  • TheRainKing
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    How do you always manage to make your work seemingly perfect my friend?. This was well written and a wonderful tribute to a sad moment. Hurry up and get published before I get too jealous of your skill. You should be paid by now. My best regards, Jason


  • lovepoet
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Nice work here, good luck!

  • spiritflo
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    So moving. This brought me close to tears. What a honoring poem. It takes talent to write out her story as a poem with much sentimental value and rhyme. Princess Di truly was a people's princess.

  • lordoftherings gold member
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Hi Hugh:

    I wanted to quote this whole poem byut was afraid my author's comments would be too lengthy. Thank you, my friend for taking the time to quote this hymn, it is also a favorite of mine. Gregg (PS: I hope by changing the format of the poem by moving it over I will not be DQ'ed.)


  • Lori1952
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    A wonderful tribute to the People's Princess, Princess Di, you captured a lot in this.. she was a peoples person and it was a shame that she had to die so young. She did things that no other member of the royal family did.. she went to the people. She will some day, when William takes over the throne be the Kings Mother.. nothing can change that. I know she is with the Angels and no brighter star will shine than that of Lady Di.. God Rest Her Soul .. Lori

  • hugh wyles silver member
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    We used to sing this hymn at college end-of-term services and it has remained a favourite of mine ever since. I can understand Princess Diana relating strongly to it.

    I vow to thee, my country—all earthly things above—
    Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
    The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
    That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
    The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
    The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

    And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago—
    Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
    We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
    Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
    And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
    And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

    Edited on Jun 23, 7:19 p.m. because ''.

  • hugh wyles silver member
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Rhymes cut off!

    Dear Gregg,
    The AP system has cut off the right hand ends of a lot of lines which is a pity as your rhyming is lost. You may have to 'split' the longer lines and lower the last few words on each to fit it all in. Alternatively, forgo that Lefthand background and let the poem come right over to the left margin?
    I had to do that with many of mine. I don't know why they can't but the 'Featured' bits in a separate window for those who are interested and leave to whole width of this window for our poetry.
    Anyway, I think you have made a great fist of telling a long and involved sequence of events in a fairly tight and succinct
    manner. I look forward to your editing so I can read it all and will then applaud. Regards, Hugh.
    Edited on Jun 24 because ''.


  • June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Don't like this poem myself, it seems to rush through so quickly and is jolting,the beats are not consistant. Seems like you have the whole life story and I feel like I have been through a whirlwind rush. Does not say much about the death as you expect from the title.


  • dericlee
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    The true irony (and the one that through those last days continued to steam the Royals) lay in the fact that, titles stripped or not, once her son ascended the throne, Diana would have been The Queen Mother. No decree or even an act of Parliament could have changed it.

    That fact still leaves me wondering, at times...

  • zara
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    I'm so glad to see you've submitted to the competition, and with a very fine piece. You really told many sides of the tragic story. Well done, and best of luck with this.


  • Jacki D
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    splendid

    Gregg this left me in tears,for she was indeed the world's Princess.I admired her greatly for all her causes and because she just wanted to be a kind considerate human that reached outto others.
    This is a grand tribute to the world's Princess of our time. Jacki


  • RockinToyotaChick
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    Beautiful Piece! Powerful Tribute!

    A wonderful tribute to Her formal Royal Highness. She was a Saint of a woman, and a modern day martyr. Her death was not only untimely, but a huge shock to the world. If only those fool papparazzi would have left her alone. She was happy, but they couldn't stand to see her like that. She is sadly missed. I have to take comfort in knowing that she is in a better place than we are! God Rest her soul!She is with the Angels!


  • Dutch Doll
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    beautiful women she was.... also a cutter...
    your write is great... i love this kinda stuff, most people don't even think about these things, you capture everything so well.
    Peace to DI

    audrianna (Netherlands)


  • Rebel Rebel
    June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    We saw her life from beginning to end.
    It was short and sweet.
    Full of bitter moments.
    She had her good days.


  • June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply

    very good

    wow great write even though i not fan of english royality .
    might i also add that the princess di had some things she had hidden as well so i dont think its fair to the present queen or family to make them like they wanted her to die i would rather think it would be x duchess of york myself but thats me anyways.
    good write !


  • June 23, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    you're great at history type poems!

    little one

1 - 35 of 35