The first line makes a sweet refrain,
but always villanelles have two,
the third repeats its thought again.
The rhymes are paired, they form a chain
of tercets, and with choices few,
the first line makes a sweet refrain.
The villanelle can give some pain
in writing, for there's nothing new,
the third repeats its thought again.
The poet's work is reader's gain,
repeats can render thoughts anew;
the first line makes a sweet refrain.
Repeating forms can be the bane
of cogent thought, for now it's true,
the third repeats its thought again.
The ending is a neat quatrain,
and both refrains get one more view.
The first line makes a sweet refrain,
the third repeats its thought again.
Author notes
A French poetic form with two rhymes and two repeating lines.
With thanks to Balladeer, for his meta-villanelle.
Written February 14th, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 30 of 30
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Wow. I haven't yet tried a villanelle, but you have worded this so perfectly to make it sound effortless.
Excellent. Good luck.
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How very creative this is! Villanelles are most difficult to pull off, but you have explained it well in this well crafted piece! Thanks for sharing and best wishes!
Frogz~
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Reading through this, I realize it's actually easier to write a villanelle in iambic pentameter than in iambic tetrameter. That extra wiggle room makes it easier to change the context from line to line. Kudos to you on being able to pull it off so neatly in the meter you selected!
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Outstanding
This poem achieves a lot - a villanelle that captures the essence of this style of poetry. I've attempted a couple and they are difficult to write. This is charming to read and creative.
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Thanks so much RWD. When I have time and patience, they are fun. Lately, no so much.
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wow! He rates a villanelle?? A Rondelet maybe, a villanelle, well, hell, that's swell. I missed your Villon rondelet, by the way.
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I never did see Yem's villanelle, I think. Did I promise a rondelet? Sorry.
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Ah yes, I remember it well. I did indeed attempt one. Not sure what ever happened to it. Probably hit the delete soon after. Thanks again Margaret.
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Ah, well, villanelles are not for everyone. This was fun to write, and I still enjoy it. Thank you, Yem.
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awww man. i was wrong. hate it when that happens! he he he. methinks i found a new flower to drool over
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Peony. Good luck with your villanelle. 
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Right you are this is a perfect example of the Villanelle in form. And my oh MY that camellia is just gorgeous [could be azalea but I think it's camellia which I probably spelled wrong am in Villanelle hell which is a joke thats the topic] This makes it even more clear. I have written quite a few Villanelles but like to always make sure I research it again once in a while [insert more early morning rambles here]
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Only you could write a villanelle about the structure of a villanelle and make it work beautifully. Very creative and enjoyable! I could see this being used in a class to teach the basics of the form. A wonderful, delightful way of explaining. Thank you!
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Dear Hugh, you are a man of few words, and every one counts.
Thank you for your lovely comment and applause.
The commas stay.
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Because of the lulling, repetitive nature of villanelles, people often mistakenly think they are easy to write – from my own experience I know that this is not the case, and it’s even less easy to write one which doesn’t feel as if it’s been pushed and pulled and about to fit the form’s constraints. However, as with all your rhyming poetry, you’ve made it look simple – I think with this form, it’s also a tendency for the reader to get bored with the same lines’ repetition, but again you’ve avoided that as well, and it almost feels gently educational – you know like when kids’ stories have that repetitive bit like ‘I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down’? It reminded me of that, you were waiting for those lines you knew you were coming, and which emphasized a point. Lovely.
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Dear Margaret,
This is a really brillant explanation of the Villanelle form and a fine example of the form itself. I did wonder about the need for the commas preceding "for" in each case but I won't say a word because I would hate to be picky over sush a splendid effort.
This is just another example of your penmanship which makes me so proud to have you as one of my favourites. Applause.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
This, I have to bookmark! It's a joy! The comment you made had to be applauded too! What a gret day!
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Thanks CT! I got the image of one half of the brain writing a villanelle, while the other half does differential calculus!
This was fun to write, I'm happy you enjoyed it.
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Really cool. This is the first villanelle I've read about a villanelle. Ha ha! Very cute and clever idea. You explained it so well. I think anyone with half a brain could figure out how to write a villanelle now. Nice job. Keep up the good work!
~CT -
Simple as that...lol... Margaret you've expressed villanelle form so well through a villanelle...lol... I enjoyed it with a smile ear to ear...lol
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This is beautifully done. Leave it to Yem to provoke a poem out of someone. LOL Hugs, Patricia
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So good at Haiku-
I just need lines one and two!
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I know the poem and always liked it--never knew more about it than that. I read Thomases "Under Milkwood" Years ago and I have a collection of his stories laying around somewhere.
I'll lookat the analysis you mentioned. Thanks. -
Dear Yem, I reposted your post, the server problem today mislaid it.
The art of the villanelle lies in using the refrains to say different things with the same words, or binding the refrains to the stanza so that they complete the thought. You're right, it can be quite tricky to tell a story this way, because of the repetition. Often it is used for emotional analysis and pastoral scenes, which lend themselves to restatement. I'm sure that your wit will find its outlet in a villanelle one day.
One of the best examples of coherent stanzas in a villanelle is Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle". It was revolutionary at the time, using a light verse form for thoughts about death. There is an analysis with the poem at webpages.charter.net/classicpoetry/dtdonotgogentle.htm
Edited on Feb 14, 1:45 p.m. because 'url'. -
Well it sure scores high marks for presentation, Margaret. I was going to issue a comma alert, but on second read-through, I see the need for the pauses and daresay they all work well.
Nicely done and most informative for any who pass this way.
Happy Valentines day,
Del -
Oh, what lovely idea and poem Marg!
He might become the King of Villanelles too, he is the best haiku writer already
The way you explained how to write this form is excellent, very simple and clear. It can help anyone who doesn't know to write a villanelle.
Well done Marg!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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Thanks Lyrical. The idea of a poem about a form is not original, so I can take credit only for this presentation. However, I'm pretty happy with it.
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How neat. A set of instructions for writing a perfect Villanelle in Villanelle form. This is very creative. I think I'll bookmark this and try to learn the form from your instructions
~Lyrical
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Excellent
I have had poets not knowing that is the point of a Villanelle to have identical repeating refrain to think instead I am lazily being redundant. When instead guided by form and not being redundant on my own recognizances out of laziness at all. Villanelles are not easy to do whatsoever. I may have made that observation myself as well before learning of Villanelle. This style is perfect to highlight main point to leave a lasting impression and I think ingenious to so state in your first and third repeating lines. To me, this is a fabulous instructional poem that flows smoothly with poetic perfection on many levels.
Edited on Feb 14, 9:06 because ''.
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