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

[Solar]

The poem captures and conveys the plight of a queen, faced with betrayal, still holding her head high, even though it fell to the wickedness of the king. It makes history come alive, connecting it to the personal.

Very skilfully written.

[E Chuk]

That was pretty intense, nice writing!

[A hare off]

This was such a gorgeous piece, the rhyme was wonderful and smooth and it flowed very softly. You have a great knack for storytelling and taking the reader where you want them to go. Really good Alison

[Alison Gross]

Thank you so much for your positive support.

[Cherry]

That was an enthralling story from the start. You not only kept me captivated, you taught me about a woman whose pertinacity made her famous. I so loved the last part. Thank you for sharing such wonderful writing.

[Alison Gross]

Thank you so much, it makes me so happy to know you enjoyed it.