The spinners measure out and cut the thread,
The slender, fragile line of every life,
And all we know is wyrd bið ful âræd.
The living walk behind the ghosts of dead,
Who never could deny, despite their strife,
The spinners measure out and cut the thread.
No alchemy can make gold out of lead,
No charms can stop the hand that wields the knife,
And all we know is wyrd bið ful âræd.
This throbbing chorus echoes in my head,
As if played on some ghastly drum and fife –
The spinners measure out and cut the thread.
Can it be true that we will never wed,
That I will never live to call you wife,
And all we know is wyrd bið ful âræd?
The darkness hides the unknown things we dread,
But through it all, though counter-charms are rife,
The spinners measure out and cut the thread,
And all we know is wyrd bið ful âræd.
Author notes
The anglo-saxon words in this poem mean, loosely translated, "Destiny is everything"
Written March 2nd, 2006
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1 - 16 of 16
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There are only a hand full of people that can write a decent Villanelle on this site and this one is world class.
Love,
Amera♥
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I think it's the only one I have ever written!
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I guess I suffer too - hence my love of form, like this one here. Glad you liked it.
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This was wonderful, I have admired figural filet and it has developed into: PAS Pattern Acquision Syndrome Now my secret is revealed - my delight in these patterns realized through type on paper.
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I got the graphic by knowing what to look for on the internet. The repetition is part of the form of the poem - which is a villanelle. I am really glad you like it.
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Like, it, Like it, I DO
The graphic is amazing and I always wonder where people get these super pictures for their poetry! You use repetition to give emphasis to this poem and it's really very good! A fine write, as always! -
Bless you, Iohagh
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Shorn life so thick
it goes really quick
or threads lean long
either way I'm torn.
You are so beautiful
as you remain dutiful
to your magic muse
staying clear and unconfused. -
The picture is of the old Germanic/Nordic mythological sisters, The Norns, who spun and cut the thread of everyone's life. Thank you (and everyone) for your kind comments.
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exceptionally well written
I like this a lot Mairi. "Destiny is everything" is such a great line to use throughout this write. You weave your words so well.
The picture is a little scary, LOL.... but it goes really well with the poem.
etherealforu
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oh...well...I like this poem,but I don't like you to feel sad my dear friend.
Shahrzad
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GREAT JOB!!!!! :F
This is certainly dark, and gloomy, yet it is well written and carries it's message across as you want it to, great job, AngelicMistress -
Thank you, Michael. It is my first ever, and I don't know whether I will come back to the form. It is torture! It ought to be easy, because two lines are repeated throughout, but believe me it is no such thing! I did myself no favours by choosing "life" to rhyme - I think I used every conceivable rhyming word, as there are so few!
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Excellent!
Simply a brilliantly concieved and executed villanelle! It is great stuff by any measure! Excellent! -
You were quick! I hadn't even chosen a background for this poem! Thank you for your comments. I am glad you liked it.
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Hmm...this piece was quite interesting, it kept my attention throughout the entire piece...nice job, great flow as well.
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