by ~Gregg Rowe~
My muses push me on until I sigh
This chronic illness is taking its toll
I’ll spill my ink until the day I die
I reach deep inside and waltz with my soul
To live every day without the black crow
My muses push me on until I sigh
I stop, smell the roses, take my life slow
I dream by Cuba’s oceans I will stroll
I’ll spill my ink until the day I die
Today angels I’ll make in the virgin snow
And have lived my life through a doubly dole
My muses push me on until I sigh
I’ve been lucky, my destiny I know
Recording a life story is my goal
I’ll spill my ink until the day I die
I have lived my life I have rowed and rowed
As I climb out of Abyss’s hole
My muses push me on until I sigh
I’ll spill my ink until the day I die
Author notes
Villanelle:
A Villanelle consists of 2 rhymes (A,
and 2 repeating lines that also rhyme. It's scheme consists of either 5 tercets and one ending quatrain, or 5 three-line stanzas and one four-line stanza with 2 repeating lines (C,D). It's roots go back to Italy, but was popularized in France. Below is a Villanelle I wrote for the poem to the right. To help understand the layout, I have labeled the 4 varying types of lines as A,B,C,D.
I'm too old for this
C My hands are too weak to climb this today
B the corporate ladder has taken its toll
D I'm losing my footing, don't fall I pray
A while they climb over I have no say
B to the top is their ultimate goal
C my hands are too weak to climb this today
A political games and hired guns are the way
B circumstances diminish my role
D I'm losing my footing, don't fall I pray
A years have passed by and I don't want to play
B my life and career through a hole
C my hands are too weak to climb this today
A fear has forsaken, a price I did pay
B swirling and flushed in a toilet bowl
D I'm losing my footing, don't fall I pray
A I'm ending this act, it's too wrong to stay
B inside I search to retrieve my soul
C My hands are too weak to climb this today
D I'm losing my footing, don't fall I pray
Written by: Tracy Lynn Repchuk
© Canadian Federation of Poets
Written March 2nd, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Anything Really!!! I don't care!! by Forever-Damned.
400 points, ended April 2, 2006, 81 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - TEACH ME HOW TO WRITE A Villanelle by Swan song.
800 points, ended July 15, 2007, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
This is a class poem and I will return to read and enjoy this again.
-
Excellent
This is really good, Gregg, and certainly conveys the attitude all should take on: keep on going until the day we die, for not one of us know when that day will come; so, we might as well make the most out of the one we have as each one arrives. As you know, I don't know much about poetic forms, but I do know talent when I read it, see it or hear it. This is beautifully written, the repeating lines adding a great deal of power to the attitude of life you have so eloquently presented.
Lots of love and hugs, B♥nnieQ
-
I wonder how many others will be so inspired by this very wakeful and wise piece? I loved the form that so enhances the theme. I sense the actual sigh as a mix of that which has fatigued AND intrigued you. It appears to be such a weaker word to end the phrase with, but it's soooooooooo appropriate and I can't think of any replacement.
I loved it, darlin. I hope this piece wins!
Thank you for your arched brow of pensivity.
-
wow. i had actually never heard of this form before. just shows you learn something new every day. this poem should be made a rallying point for writers everywhere. i really like the line "I'll spill my ink until the day I die". inspirational and slightly rebellious. keep up the good work!
-
Wow this was a very deep poem. I really liked it. I'm glad I got the chance to read it and I look forward to reading more of your works. Keep smiling and writing!
-
Owlfire:
TYhe reference is to Edgar Allen Poe's poem: The Raven ( a raven is a blackbird or a crow -- depending on who the writer and rhymer is). Thanks for stopping by with your input and reading. Happy World Poet's Day
Edited on Mar 22, 5:20 p.m. because ''. -
I like the subject and the presentation of this piece!
I didn't understand this line: To live every day without the black crow
?
-
Oh
Thanks for this, it makes sense now
-
Pozo: dole: sadness grief
dole: to live as be paid monthly by the state or by govenment issued cheque -
Good use of form here Keep writing I liked the rhyme I felt here that there was a sense of darkness and sorrow, but hope still came out on top- was still the strongest Good use of repetition here The only thing I wondered about was 'doubly dole'- I didn't understand what this means. Could just be my not understanding rather than it being complex though Good use of imagery here Lovely flow
All the best
Pozo
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
6 old applause
