Nature in Reverse

Posted bywordsandcoffee1Posted inPoetry, W3 PromptsTags:, , , , 
In December, all colors fade to gray
Tree branches rainbow over river bends
Leafless limbs are blown asunder today

As whirlpools swirl their mysteries away
Their ephemeral enchantment now ends
In December, all colors fade to gray

Murky storm clouds harden our hearts to clay
As wishes with foggy teardrops will blend
Leafless limbs are blown asunder today

The colors will bleed back in bold I pray
Morning rituals repeated again
In December, all colors fade to gray

It’s not long before the sunlight will play
Dancing shadows on the dirt like old friends
In December, all colors fade to gray
Leafless limbs are blown asunder today


This poem was written in response to Lorraine’s prompt for Wea’ve Written Weekly hosted by David of The Skeptic’s Kaddish. Lorraine asked us to write a poem with the following features:

  • Form (required): Villanelle;
  • Theme (suggested): The cycle of life & death

A villanelle is a nineteen-line poetic form consisting of five tercets followed by a quatrain. There are two refrains and two repeating rhymes, with the first and third lines of the first tercet repeated alternately at the end of each subsequent stanza until the last stanza, which includes both repeated lines.

I struggle with villanelles, though I enjoy reading them. I think this one turned out okay. My #1 inspiration anytime I need to write one is Dylan Thomas. “Do not go gentle into that good night” fits this week’s W3 prompt perfectly!

22 thoughts on “Nature in Reverse”

  3. Sarah,

    Your villanelle captures the essence of December with such eloquence. The imagery of fading colors and leafless limbs being blown asunder paints a vivid picture of the season’s melancholy beauty. Your words evoke a sense of contemplation and acceptance, making each line a poignant reflection. Beautifully penned!

    ~David

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  7. Sarah, this is utterly beautiful as a lover of nature I found myself enchanted by your words. They just seem to roll out effortlessly, leading us ultimately to a place of hope and peace. Wonderful

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  8. Your villanelle is wonderful! 👏 Very atmospheric.💗

    Thanks for the video of Dylan Thomas.
    I’d never written a villanelle before this prompt and when I read his villanelle Do not go gentle into that good night—I nearly gave up!

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