The Love of Napoleon and Josephine

A trilogy of poems expressing the feelings of one of the most famous historical figures and one of the most famous love stories ever known... by Joseph Ogbonna

Napoleon’s Contention For Josephine

On the plains of Europe I contend for an empire.

On love’s battlefields I have contended more for thee.

A stare from your rolling eyeballs consumes me like fire,

as I seek entrance to a world of just you and me.

Mademoiselle Josephine, you are truly my world’s wonder.

What precious gem or treasure can I to thee render?

Not even Europe’s plundered gold could my love equate

for the diamond damsel I ask for a lifetime’s date.

What eloquent poetry could my words for thee describe,

and what tender words of mine could I on thine heart inscribe?

A thousand princes may indeed contend for thine heart,

each of them love-struck with your magical Cupid’s dart.

A thousand more princes may contend for thy dowry,

but relentless I’ll be to see their love plans go awry.

***

Napoleon’s Love Letter To Josephine

I knew my heart had been set alight with passion,

that memorable day I cast my very eyes on thee.

Your slightest rebuff to my endless advances

would pose a more formidable challenge to me

than Europe’s invincible, combined vast army.

The day you unlocked the sealed entrance to thine heart,

was like opening the world’s palatial epicentre.

The access you gave me to thy love’s citadel,

was like the lofty achievement of a world conquest.

***

Napoleon’s Nascent Love For Josephine

Give me a smile, that I may build on your assurance,

Kiss me, that I may have to thy kind heart entrance,

Love me less, and see how tumultuous life could be,

Give thy command, and see my loyalty to thee.

In thine absence, mine heart cannot from thee depart.

A moment’s departure would rend my world apart.

I recall that very day I beheld thy face;

A lasting memory I will forever retrace.

That Sunday when thine eyes did my emotions disarm;

The day mine heart responded to thy Love’s alarm,

The day you sat upon mine heart’s epicentre,

To govern my feelings from their very centre.

Josephine my love, I bequeath my self-will to thee,

Let me thy world share, and make thine own tumults mine,

And come in to my own world, for all I have is thine.