Behold the faded edges of day: the spinning light that lasts when shimmers shade to gray. Fireworks burst today: afterimage of the past, behold the faded edges of day pressed into eyes to stay like my footprints into grass when shimmers shade to gray. At the rounding of spring's rays, we'll capture sunsets in the glass, behold the faded edges of day. Under twinkling lights that play, we'll recover our lost tracks when shimmers shade to gray. Maybe there's nothing more to say, pouring language in the cracks. Behold the faded edges of day when shimmers shade to gray.
I’m sure that “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas was what first drew me to the Villanelle, and it’s still one of my favorite poetic forms. I think what I like best about it is that there is a repetition, but it’s not overbearing; it’s the sort of repetition that feels like real life: we repeat, but we also grow and adapt with each new round. Each line builds on the previous line and adapts a slightly new meaning. We (hopefully) adapt from our history to create a better future. It’s lovely, sort of like this song by Young the Giant (the greatest band of all time, in my humble opinion):
Doubtless, I still have a lot to learn about poetry (and life), but I think a villanelle speaks the repetition of life well. As you can tell if you’re a fan of this blog, I also love haiku and tanka and free verse– and sonnets, when I take the time to get the rhyme and rhythm correct. Often, I’ll experiment with forms I’m not as familiar with, and sometimes they turn out smoothly– like this butterfly cinquain I wrote last spring. Limericks are fun, too, but mine always sound far too cheesy to publish. I’m always learning something new from the other amazing writers and poets on WordPress! What’s your favorite poetic form?
Words and Coffee Writing 
I love a good villanelle or sestina. Also, I just discovered the anagram poetry form!
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The anagram sounds interesting!
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Shadorma is my go-to form, but I’m very fond of pantoums, although I mostly do them unrhymed. I’ve also been doing Badger’s hexastitch a lot. And cadralor. I like repetition as well. Have you tried the cascade? (K)
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Ah, I do like the shadorma, too! I tried the cascade once, and I think it went okay; I feel like I needed a stronger refrain line.
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I find I have to do many forms over and over before they click.
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The practice helps me, too.
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I love the Villanelle but also the Blitz Poem and Nove Otto and the Quatern… Your Villanelle is beautiful and it works so very well. ❤
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Thank you! I’ve never written a Nove Otto; I’ll have to look it up!
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The only term I know here is the limerick. I am so stunted when it comes to poetry. I guess I should explore it a bit more if I want to grow in my craft. Have always admired poets. Keep on keeping on in your poetry journey! So inspiring to read your thoughts on the various facets of poetry, and the best part is I get to learn too.
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Thanks! I’ve been slowly learning about poetry over the years, from a creative writing class in college to teaching a poetry unit in one of my courses to interacting with some really impressive poets here in WordPress. I’m glad there’s so much out there for those of us who are lifelong learners! ☺️
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I know very little about poetry, but I just searched that Dylan Thomas poem and found it very moving the way it built up to the final stanza about his father. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m glad you enjoyed Thomas’ poem! It’s a powerful one.
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So far my favorite poem is the quatrain. I write 5 to 10 of those a night 3 or 4 nights a week at Google Blogger. I do it there so noone feels obligated to read them all.
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Quatrains are great! Do you group them together or does each one have its own theme or message?
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