And didn't I always wish her well,
and put a pillow 'neath her head
when she fell in a fainting spell?
Didn't I pull the servants' bell
assuring her a blanket spread,
and didn't I always wish her well?
I often told her not to dwell
on illness, nor to seek her bed
when she fell in a fainting spell.
How it came, I cannot tell,
for all she ate was free of lead;
and didn't I always wish her well?
I called the doctor from the dell,
took careful notes of all he said,
when she fell in a fainting spell.
In time she dwindled to a shell,
of course I'm sorry she is dead;
and didn't I always wish her well,
when she fell in a fainting spell?
Author notes
A villanelle
In a list
A contest entry
- Arsenic, The Gift of the Borgias by ea.
500 points, ended January 7, 2007, 6 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Thanks for reading!
Comments
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Oh, Margaret, found this in ea's list, this so works with the contest and Congratulations on the gold, here!
Beautiful in form and with a subtle touch and wit that makes what is happening work so well and it is as always so very beauifully done. Your Villanelle seems to have worked out so well for the context also as someone pointed out already. This is wonderful and I can see how it's Gold, too!
Thanks,
mi
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I am glad I came upon this. I have adopted a policy of following links to people who make intelligent comments on good poems. Invariably I find a good poet at the other end.
Sadly witty, economically short lines, brilliant execution, the whole thing has a wistful charm. Good luck in that contest.
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Thanks Mairi bheag, I'm pretty pleased with this too.
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Now i know :)
I`m new to writing and i didn`t know what a villanelle was until i read this poem.What i can tell you is that it was a delightful read and one that not only encaptured my attention all the way through it also captured my imagination in a curious sense Great write
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Thank you Linda! Look at gorgeous you in your new picture!
That is the trouble with talking too much, isn't it? that people stop listening. Thank you for applause and compliments.
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oh, happy new year
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Thanks and happy new year, Jan! It's good to see you, thanks so much for your applause and understatement!
I'm on a jihad, it seems, someone is going to be uncomfortable.
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What does "all rights reserved" mean
when the anthologisers of Darkwrite post my poem incorrectly, and without permission?
http://allpoetry.com/board/topic/268488399 -
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Kevin to the rescue
It means that they get a lesson in copyright law.
Thanks Kevin! Thanks orange.co.uk!
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Cleaver girl you be! This was fun and a wonderful read Margret! Well deserved gold!~~Suseann p.s. I'm still laughing!
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Thank you
I'm happy you enjoyed it, Suseann, and still surprised.
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This is quite an enjoyable piece, not to mention that it's a difficult form which succeeds very well indeed. I love the subtle irony in it and the "who me?" tone it sets, as criminals are notorious for doing. It's very humorous in its way. Thank you.
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Hehe!
Well done! I like the ambiguity. Reminds me how the Master taught that thinking it is just as bad as doing it 
Gennelle
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Thanks!
I'm happy! This was fun, portraying a guilty conscience pointing out her showings of affection. Thanks also for your recollection, that was not foremost in my mind, but certainly I agree that evil thoughts have evil consequences.
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Too much indeed
The villanelle is ideal for a poisoning, reverberating
once the deed is done, in guilt and conscience.
It got me feeling guilty too!
Terry
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Thank you
Dear Terry, thanks for your applause! That is a wonderful affect, great comment.
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Ever see Arsenic and old lace?
Very funny Jimmy Stewart movie about two kindly aunts who just happen to be mercy killers. Sorry, you just reminded me of that...that is a possible poem for me, well, with Bonko or Bubbles I suppose.
I've used that same plea, or should I say, rationalization. Well not the same...I've yet to do anything hamletish.
Why is Keith a ceramic cat? I know he likes cats but he's ceramic...and probably a salt shaker. I thought for sure he'd look different...yes I know, "Go ask him yourself."
I like the tone, sort of mock heroic.
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I remember it well
Thanks for applause! This person could be guilty or not, but certainly feigned affection.
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oooooooo I'm so jealous..your poems are always beyond perfect...sigh..maybe one day I can become a true poet like you are!
The best of luck to you in the contest hun.
Kamala Kari -
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Thanks!
That is high praise, Kari.
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WOAH!!!!
Margaret, I absolutely love this!!!!! How wonderfully it fits the Shakespeare quote. I loved every word and how the words fairly bounced up to greet my mouth. EXCELLENT!!!!!! Hugs, Patricia
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Ooh, I do love the surprise element you have in this villanelle
It's only in the last paragraph that the reader gets the confirmation that this lady is dead - before you could think all kind of thinks... at least, I did...
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I think I'm definitely going to be reading more and more of your work. This poem got me, really. I think this had a sarcastic note to it but that made it all the more interesting. I think this poem is lovely.
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Very good. The villanelle gives an excellent insight into the avoidance of responsibility, doesn't it? Must be the constant, querulous repetition that does it. Of course, Hamlet was the ace avoider of responsibility, wasn't he? Well Done. I'll give this some thought....
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