The Villanelle

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heinzs
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The Villanelle

Post by heinzs » Sun May 16, 2004 9:06 pm

The Villanelle



A villanelle is composed of six stanzas, beginning with five three line stanzas (tercets), and ending with one four line stanza (quatrain). There are only two rhymes in the usual villanelle, placed stratgetically in the poem. One of the most noted of these that is a splendid example is one by Dylan Thomas, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night."

Note the repitition of lines: 1, 6, 12, 18 and 3, 9, 15, 19
rhyme scheme: aba, aba, aba, aba, aba, abaa





Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light!


Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.


Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light!


Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.


Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light!


And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse me, bless me, now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light!
Last edited by heinzs on Sat Sep 01, 2007 2:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Richard taylor

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Post by Richard taylor » Mon May 17, 2004 4:50 am

I love these and will post one
thanks for sharing Richard

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bags123
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Post by bags123 » Tue Jun 29, 2004 11:21 am

Thanks for posting this,... I love the Dylan Thomas poem you used as an example. Posted my first effort earlier in General Forum,...
"What Gentleman Would Speak with Stones", Hope I got it right. :mrgreen:

I noticed his piece uses strict iambic pentameter, but if I'm not mistaken, thats a choice not a requirement of this form.
I prefer to keep an open mind,....but not so much that my brains fall out.- Carl Sagan
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Evan

Post by Evan » Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:52 pm

Four Season's(Villanelle)

From nature's elegance, I portray
Her presence through a cherished dream
Season's colors never fade away

Her pure heart in spring's display
Scenery blossomed in romantic gleam
From nature's elegance I portray

Summer's passion, a full bouquet
Carrying us through a loving stream
Season's colors never fade away

Fall's colors, a brilliant display
Painting our romantic theme
From nature's elegance I portray

Winter snow's delicate fray
Significant, as it may seem
Season's colors never fade away

Hearts dance in seasonal display
All part of Mother Earth's scheme
From nature's elegance I portray
Season's colors never fade away

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heinzs
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Post by heinzs » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:44 pm

An excellent villanelle, Evan!

:cool: :cool:
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Evan

Post by Evan » Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:53 pm

thank you! :cheers:

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bags123
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Post by bags123 » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:53 am

Such a talented young man. Great work Evan!
I prefer to keep an open mind,....but not so much that my brains fall out.- Carl Sagan
Your brain is like an umbrella. It only works when it's open- Someone Smart


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March 2011

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Evan

Post by Evan » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:49 pm

thanks bags! :cheers:

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Debbie
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Heinz

Post by Debbie » Mon May 30, 2005 4:45 pm

Heinz this stuff is so cool its different..something about it..I just like it.. so glad I put my nose and checked this forum out..
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