I love books in verse – especially biographies, particularly this one: Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc, by David Elliott. One of my favorite things about this particular book is that it tells the format of each poem in the back of the book. Elliott writes in several signature forms, including shape poetry. Another great thing: this book is part of a series – so when its final page is turned, there will be another one waiting.
You can read more about David Elliott here and here.
I Am
The harp and that halo, all those things
from that bright morning to this ~
I am a fortress.
I am a helmet on a strange head.
Taken from: Saint Michael; Joan; Virginity; Her Hair.






Powerful poem- you pack a lot into a few lines!
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Thank you, Erika!
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Kim,
This is a clever idea, writing an “I Am” poem from lines taken from a verse novel. Like you, I like when poetry books have information about form in the back matter.
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Glenda, thank you! This book is very unique – none like any others I have.
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Kim, I’m so fascinated by this poet, I immediately ordered his book. I have been dabbling with visual poetry by creating a collage that accompanies a poem. I’ll write about that practice in my blog soon. Anway, I adore your poem. It’s so magical. Love the closing line: “I am a helmet on a strange head”. Very compelling poem.
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Thank you, Barb! It’s not often we see so much shape poetry with the formatting to make it happen, but this is really a unique book of poetry.
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I love the painting of Joan of Arc in the Met in NYC done by a French painter. Can’t recall his name. But it is a large painting and she looks like she is stepping out of the painting right towards you! Very powerful! It exudes Joan’s vervant courage.
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Okay, I’m now on an internet search to find that painting. Thanks for sharing!
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Wow! I love that last line.
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Thank you, Rita!
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