Michael dropped rabbits he caught
He dared not approach his home
Catholics had fired the porch
Tears ran, he emitted a moan.
St Bartholomew's Day, Holy day
France was under fire
Michael watched with dismay
Couldn't save his mother or sire.
Every day the fires burned bright
Holy Rome certain to win
Men and women joined the fight
Huguenot's, minority thin.
When the Catholics left that day
His house a pile of rubble
He searched the smoking hay
Parents died for their trouble.
Alone, and grieving, this young boy
Joined the persecuted flight
Homeless Huguenots, no joy
Trudged the land by night.
Paris in flames, Catholics winning
Toulouse was torched for fun
Michael joined the faithful, grinning
Thought he could kill on the run.
This young boy had no chance
Catholics offered him food
"Recant! Recant!" They made him dance
"Renounce your faith," one soldier rude.
"Mama! Papa!" Michael wept tears
He would not renounce his faith
"Join your family," soldier leers
Michael burned, fire a cruel wraith.
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Author Notes
Contest entry for "Faith Poetry."
St Bartholomew's Day massacre 1572: 3,000 Huguenots died in the flames for their Protestant faith in Toulouse, Paris, France. The burnings stopped by edict in 1573. The Catholic Church slaughtered at least 30,000 Huguenots, burning them at the stake, thinking they could stamp out the Protestant faith. Today, both faiths survive together.
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