Using form: Double Dactyl: Alex Steelsmith, ‘Clairevoyance’

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Claire Ferchaud (fer-SHO) was a young French shepherdess and mystic who became a modern-day Joan of Arc during World War I, campaigning to add the image of the Sacred Heart to the French flag. Though her proposal was ultimately rejected as a merely symbolic gesture, it was taken seriously and honored by the distinguished General Ferdinand Foch, who became Supreme Commander of Allied Forces.

Fearlessly, peerlessly,
Claire the clairvoyant one
pushed a proposal that
fizzled, although

Foch the preeminent
generalissimo
said, “Let’s all try it—and  
not just Ferchaud.”

*****

Alex Steelsmith writes: “I tend to read widely and randomly, but ‘Clairevoyance’ didn’t come about in the usual way. Another double dactyl I had written, about the French mystic Marthe Robin, appeared in the previous issue of Snakeskin. In an email exchange I had with Snakeskin editor George Simmers about that poem, he happened to mention Claire Ferchaud, another fascinating Frenchwoman that Marthe brought to mind. I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could come up with one about Claire. That’s when I looked into her story and the pun leaped out for the last line of the poem. It felt a bit irreverent to be lightly punning on the name of someone who presumably was very serious and wouldn’t have been especially amused. In any case, I have George to thank for giving me the idea for the subject of the poem.” 

Alex Steelsmith’s writing has appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, The Spectator, Light, Snakeskin, Lighten Up Online, and other venues. He has been a Light featured poet, and a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee. More of his writing – and his artwork – is at http://www.alexsteelsmith.com/

Photo from Snakeskin

2 thoughts on “Using form: Double Dactyl: Alex Steelsmith, ‘Clairevoyance’”

  1. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    “The Ship of State leaks from the top” — U.S. President John F. Kennedy

    “Kill the chicken, scare the monkey” — Ancient Chinese proverb

    Free Bradley Manning (in forty-four syllables)

    Petulant President
    Barack Obama who
    Hates him some leakers (just
    Not from the top),
    Makes an example of
    Low-level privates so
    Cabinet ministers
    Don’t have to stop.

    Michael Murry, “The Misfortune Teller,” Copyright © 2012

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  2. Unknown's avatarAnonymous

    “Blame, in every case, appears to be a modification, often accompanied by a transference, or “projection” of the primary feeling of self-reproach” — Charles Sanders Peirce

    Stenographers’ Assange Envy

    Julian languishes,
    Rotting in prison while
    Those he exposed speak of
    “Character flaws”
    Which they attribute to
    Him while they trample on
    Every last vestige of
    Freedom and “Laws.”

    Julian published the
    Truth about governments’
    Wars and corruption and
    Criminal lies,
    Things other “journalists”
    Should have uncovered, too,
    But since they didn’t they
    Hope that he dies.

    Michael Murry, “The Misfortune Teller,” Copyright © 2021

    Liked by 1 person

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