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Napoleon's Nostalgia

Corsica, oh my Corsica. Corsica of a thousand charms, Corsica of whose fragrance I can distinguish from France. I delight in your coat of arms with an image the replica of an emancipated man. You were my childhood paradise. In your gardens I played and ran. Your shores inspired delightful tales of a land fortified by whales. Oh! Corsica, my Corsica I long to inhabit your shores to flee Hudson's punitive laws. There never was a land so dear as this idyllic island rare. France did value thee at a price and Genoa prospered from thy sale. Corsica, oh my Corsica, shall I ever see thee again? or will my longing be in vain? Oh! how I love thee Corsica! heal my protracted home sickness like a tender loving mistress.

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Mark Toney

Date: 11/30/2024 1:03:00 PM

I like that Napoleon is a recurring theme in your poetry, Joseph. He’s quite the interesting fellow. It seems you’ve captured the mind of the man with this one. Kind regards.

Anne-Marie Coreggia

Date: 3/29/2017 5:34:00 AM

If I recall correctly, Napoleon was born in Corsica one year after the island became French; I didn't realize that it was sold to us by Genoa (Gênes in French), but I surely believe you Joseph. Are you a history buff or a history teacher/poet? Your poem by the way is stunning. I imagine him in Elba, longing for Corsica. an enthusiastic 7:) Amitiés

Joseph C Ogbonna
Date: 3/30/2017 11:46:00 AM

Thanks so much Anne-Marie. You are right, French forces invaded Corsica in the year 1768, a year before Napoleon's birth, but prior to that time, Genoa ruled Corsica from 1284-1755, when Corsica finally gained independence . But they later sold their rights to Corsica to a desperate France, who had lost territories in the seven years war 1756-1763. The French were eager to get territories, having lost so much in this war.