Contrary to how I find haiku and cinquains, villanelles are a personal nemesis. I want to conquer that form, and you're welcome to join me in the battle.
Perhaps the poem that brought fame to this form is the one authored by Dylan Thomas, titled "Do Not Go Gentle."
Here's another model villanelle called "One Art," written by Elizabeth Bishop (1911-79).
The way I learned the form originally, entire lines had to be repeated. That's what Thomas does, magnificently. Bishop follows the form perhaps more loosely, working tightly with specific words and phrases to bring them around again and again in different hues.
Knot the cudgels. To the caves.
Posted by joydriven at October 29, 2003 08:59 AM | TrackBackvillanelles are easily my favorite.
Tom has one somewhere on his blog. I've done a couple, one of which you're allowed to see.
ok so i'm my own delinquent. i'll maybe work on this over the weekend.
Posted by: joy at November 5, 2003 10:09 AMLAMENTATION: a villanelle
for Dave, 11.11.03
"The LORD is good unto all those who wait on Him,
to the soul that seeks Him." ~ Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good unto those who wait
While each red light seems eternal in the interim
What comes from Him does not come late
When the crushing doubts rush toward you, and they're gaining weight
Or when Cupid leaves his paralyzing venom IN
The LORD is good unto those who wait
God has plans for good, not evil, though you remonstrate
Not facetious, though you feel like you're out on a limb
What comes from Him does not come late
Even in the wake, real faith does not manipulate
Up all night, relearning how to climb your jungle gym
The LORD is good unto those who wait
Strange, how having all these scars and gaps can liberate
How love swings on back, the diatonic pendulum
What comes from Him does not come late
All you have to do is eat what He puts on your plate
Seek Him in your perforation, soul, seek after Him
The LORD is good unto those who wait
What comes from Him does not come late
Very good Joy. I am still working on mine. I'm slow.
Posted by: james micah at November 11, 2003 02:17 PM