Photo Credit: NASA Hubble Space Telescope "Monocerotis"
This is a PIF for a contest hosted by Ecrivain 01, who so generously awarded this poem as Gold http://allpoetry.com/poem/4522799
Thank you Jim, hope you are feeling better too. So i am honored to host this form contest on the Villanelle.
I have seen a variation on the Villanelle that offers a further challenge to writers not sufficiently amused with end rhyme, refrains, and structure... to add a meaning to the verses too.
This variation asks the writer to define the end word of the first line of each stanza, in the following line. But done so that flow, overall meaning and rhyme all follow the Villanelle form. http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/villanelle.html
Sound like a challenge... well, give it a try, I have written one as an example, and provided a link for a far more beautiful example, called
" Mother" by Marigoes [ which defines every end word bonus points for any who can manage that] http://allpoetry.com/poem/679412
Star of Day
by Peteskid
You are brightness cast upon night
a fire on black, old orbs and sky
the shining star of day so bright
a joyful turning point of sight
revealing wisdom to my eyes
You are brightness cast upon night
when dawn begins its wary flight
oh, time the falling sands we try
the shining star of day so bright
and future finds its past in light
a power to unmask disguise.
You are brightness cast upon night
an empty heart that Love invites
an open door for birds to fly
the shining star of day so bright
Of ancient tales and bold delight
those wishful wants our fates defy
You are brightness cast upon night
the shining star of day so bright
[sights = revealing wisdom to my eyes / invites = an open door/ delights = those wishful wants/ light = power to unmask]
So that is the idea, define the last word of the first line of each stanza, abstractly, figuratively or poetically[ or an actual definition in poetic phrasing].
Judging:
The judging will reward the effort to write a Villanelle, and to add the definition, by looking at flow... can the writer keep a flow and overall meaning while adding the special lines. Strict Meter or iambs are not required in a Villanelle form [I have looked at this and have seen many writers simply assuming this, then including it as an element of the form, the form only consists of rhyme and repeating refrains, 19 lines A1-b-A2, abA1, abA2,abA1, abA2 abA1 A2] While strict meter or iambic meter is not needed but for those who can manage it, they will be noticed, and rewarded.
Hope you Villanelle and form writers give this a try and enjoy the variety...
Multiple entries and pre-writes [ a first for me I think] are allowed.
Please, above all, try to have fun with this...PK
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on September 3, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 750, Bronze: 500, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: The Contest Villanelle with Meaning is over.
First my thanks to all of the entrants who attempted to write the villanelle variation adding definition in certain lines; I found it interesting and challenging, hope you agree. In reading the entries to an outsiders eyes the definition portions adding something to the poems, a kind of a thoughtful reflection on a point, especially when read aloud.
I have made selections for awards and will only say that bronze and many Emerald awards offered very little to separate one from the other in quality, they were uniformly excellent. Gold seemed especially well done having the definitions so well done in Iambic meter, Silver was exquisitely expressive in a more traditional style of flow in natural pauses. Bronze too had a set meter but managed some wonderful expression from word choices and phrasing, assonance and internal rhyme added to flow.
Emeralds were as good, no pretense there, medal worthy of a higher award certainly.
And I added a special Emerald Award to the non-entry because it is clearly worthy of recognition and a new poem using the definition ideas, despite the non-entry suggestion.
My selections are as follows:
Gold Cup- Winter's Call
Simply beautiful poetry, a theme woven with brilliant imagery and in iambic meter and consistent syllables per line, and the definitions are creative and clever, imaginative use of the form and variations. Excellent.
Silver Cup- Progress
Exquisite expression in flowing natural phrasings, ideas and depth of thought to A skillful and artistic take on the problem of polluted air and water in a special and demanding villanelle form. Strong message here, excellent.
Bronze Cup- Forge of Music
He reaches for her in expressive and romantic tones, reminecent of misoc and lyrical qualities here but a strong narration. Excellent demonstration and presentation of the definition of ideas in the variation on the form. An excellent villanelle done in a well chosen meter, very fitting for the classic style of the poem.
Emerald Cup - Beyond the grave
A fine exploration of a classic theme, feelings of love that go beyond the perceived boundaries of life. And the definition style of lines and phrases is a fine way to use definitions, the lines have a resonant, echo effect; very appealing in the context of the eternal and heartfelt themes. So very skillful, artistic, and expressive in wonderful iambic pentameter.
Emerald Cup - In Brittle Bindings
a deeply shape of feelings and emotions here, as emotions struggle in circumstances, and the villanelle /definition form does not in any way interfere..the definitions seem to enhance the meanings and the end-rhyme was remarkable for the difficulty, very artistic and very skillful.
Emerald Cup - Sweet Shades of Passion (Villanelle W/meaning)
Very well written, expressive and heartfelt words, brings a message in simple and open words. It had very good end-rhyme and flow. A theme told by strong imagery, and well chosen descriptive words. So very well done.
Emerald Cup - An Affair of the Heart
Very well written and wonderful use of the definitions to add resonance to the themes. An exact and proper villanelle form. Accessible words and ideas that have a wonderful sense of sincerity. So very well done.
Emerald Cup-
As a non-entry was not considered for Gold etc. but this beautiful poem should be recognized for its wonderful and expressive use of the definition variation, an excellent writing in a free flowing natural style. Excellent.
Again thanks to all who entered, and until next contest...where you will have to define every end word...please be safe and well...PK
Contest Winners
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by Pamela A Lamppa 38 lines, 29 comments, on Aug 26 7:18 PM 2008. In Life, Nature
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4533571, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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A definition villanelle• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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by Lyndon 27 lines, 12 comments, on Aug 21 9:54 AM 2008. In villanelle; love in life, in death.
Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4546923, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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Sweet shades of passion came alive in this rose petals wide spread in season they bloomed
bud opens up and a sweet fragrance grows.by PassionsPromise 28 lines, 9 comments, on Sep 1 10:17 PM 2008. In Other, Thoughts, Contest Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Ever on my mind when we are apart,
Absence fuels our desire,• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [11]
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ivory tusks lock in silent despair
groans of anguish convey their thought• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
One last glance,
a look into the past.by trinajean 17 lines, 2 comments, on Aug 21 1:21 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
As a flight of song that will never end
closes its tunes in the air of the dayby Peteskid 30 lines, 8 comments, on Aug 22 5:19 PM 2008. In form- Villanelle/definition• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
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I don't see a link to the other example poem.
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ahh you are right...will have it shortly...PK
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Ok, Its Up there now, hope to see an entry from you...PK
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You do know how much this intrigues...
Wonderful challenge and I did read the piece my Mariza Góes. Wonderfully done. I can only hope to aspire and I WILL give this a go.
Oh my......................
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Good luck ...
with the contest.
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There is a form called; "definition poetry" which the poet, "mcandrew" introduced to me about 3 years ago. I beleieve that the two forms here are mixed; villanelle/definition. Never tried to mix these two but this does sound like an awesome challenge.
I am bookmarking and hoping that I have time to enter this contest. I love the idea!
Always ♥
Renee
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thank you Renee-
Yes I saw some of Zahhar's work in definition poems; i think in the future you might see that here too...
The villanelle offers a different challenge from free verse or rhyme because of the structure and the refrains, now this villanelle/definition adds a kind of a logic-refrain... a verse that picks up on the preceding verse to add, explain, echo...emphasis...I think it is difficult, I think you would enjoy [and make it look easy]...PK
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Do we have to write about the picture? Is that the prompt for the Villanelle or could it be some something diffrent?
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Rebekah -Ann
Feel free to write about anything you would like including the art photo... a beautiful star ...wonderful to hear from you...PK
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I missed it!
Time happens to quickly for me. 
Have fun judging!
Renee
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time happens too quickly...yes i have had that feeling too...... November Smiles...PK
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I am awestruck and truly thankful for the honor of gold in your contest. I truly labored over this piece with many hours of exhilarating frustration. To have this poem recognized is a treasured reward. Congratulations to all who entered this challenge. Well done. ~Pamela 
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"exhilarating frustration", I recognize the feeling!
While writing Villanelles using the definition form, I, many times almost changed the form to free verse.
Thanks Howard for hosting another great contest
Congratulations to all who gave this form a chance. -
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Thank you Mari-
for the inspiration of your Villanelle definition form, to me it adds something to the reading and expression ...an echo or emphaisis... and new thoughts. Congratulations on your Silver Cup...h
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Thanks so much PK, this was a really fun challenge. So many fine entries, too. Thanks for the opportunity to try something new, and for your grace in judging.
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Congratulations Ten-
burning the midnight oils paid off for you, a fine piece of poetry and a new form too... PK
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Congratulations Pamela and all -
as I said on Pamela's poem page, I recommend adding this style to your repertoires, because there were many excellent results in the contest.
And to all of the entries
you should all be proud of this especially because it was a first attempt at a difficult new form...Congratulations... to all of the winners
my thanks to all of the entries...PK
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Ah, thanks for the silver and congratulations to all
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