The Ax Fell Down by Devi Nina Bingham

 

We sat together, contented be

My handsome suitor and me

And talked of politics fervently

I said, "This will ruin the country."

We shared the same patriotic fears

As sanity fled and bigotry neared

Then the ax fell and split the stone

I felt its weight down to my bones. 

And sever our amorous rose in two

Blood dripping down as the morning dew

Scores of bodies in hospital beds

Angels of death danced round their heads

My handsome suitor fled to home

Alas, to roam and I alone.

To be born a woman is a terrible fate

For the ones we cherish, we will beg and wait

And sacrifice so men may say,

"I'll see you on another day."

Since that starless and dreadful year

I found my voice, and a country dear

When the ax fell down and split the stone

Once a sailing ship does sink

You must quickly think

So, I pulled with all my might

Into that frigid, tempestuous night

When the ax fell down my valor shone

As bright as the cruel fire

That devoured Saint Joan

All fires are made of light

All crowns are made of gold.