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timothysangel1973
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since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough

0 posted 2005-05-29 05:30 PM


I want to do one of these so badly, can some one give me some pointers.  I have read the description of one, and have read of few of them, but that doesn't help me get started.

And, I want it done right... so any help would be so much appreciated.  Perferably a simple explanation if there is one.  I need to know what is the EXACT form for one of these.

Thanks

Tima

© Copyright 2005 Tima Chavis Cooke - All Rights Reserved
Local Parasite
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Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
1 posted 2005-05-29 05:57 PM


A villanelle can be a lot of fun
Though there are rules that govern its creation,
You'll be quite proud of it, when it is done!

From side to side the rhymes melodious run,
From A to B in jubilant vocation:
A villanelle can be a lot of fun!

Repeated lines are similarly spun
Ending each tercet as a decoration
(Changing them up a bit is sometimes done)

Iambic meter goes da-DUN da-DUN
But feet-per-line's all up to inspiration!
A villanelle can be a lot of fun!

Be it tetrameter's enchanting hum,
Or else pentameter's bold declaration,
You'll be quite proud of it, when it is done!

So write a few!  And once you've written one,
Go write a second one in celebration!
A villanelle can be a lot of fun!
You'll be quite proud of it, when it is done!


"God becomes as we are that we may be as he is."  ~William Blake

Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
2 posted 2005-05-29 07:41 PM


Best bet is to do a Smart Search in the Poetry Workshop.  To save you some work, here's some handy links:

/pip/Forum22/HTML/000002.html
/pip/Forum22/HTML/000781.html

Of course, you'd be better served by doing that aforementioned Smart Search.  villanelle, forum = Poetry Workshop.  Should get 3 pages of very informative information.  

Of course, there's always Dylan Thomas's immortal offering, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 2005-05-29 08:05 PM



The first line always goes right here

You must choose well each clever word

The third line's here - now, ain't that clear?


The first lines now that will appear

Rhyme with 1st stanza's first and third

The first line always goes right here.


All middle lines must rhyme, my dear,

Although it may sound quite absurd

The third line's here - now, ain't that clear?


Five 3-line stanzas shall appear

With rhymes in place as was inferred

The first line always goes right here.


One 4-line verse brings up the rear

The proper style is now insured

The third line's here - now, ain't that clear?


So take it from the Balladeer

Of villanelles you now have heard

The first line always goes right here

The third line's here - now, ain't that clear?

timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
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since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
4 posted 2005-05-29 09:18 PM


That is so funny Balladeer, cause right after I posted this, I found exactly what you posted up there.. and printed it out so that the colors will help me remember.

I hope I can do this without getting frustrated... the only thing that nearly always baffles me is the meter and count thing....

Thanks for the help guys

Tima

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2005-05-29 10:10 PM


Your choice of meter is a personal one - But you should be consistent throughout... If you need any help as you're writing - just holler...

And listen to these guys - They know what they're talking about...

Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
6 posted 2005-05-30 10:05 AM


Another important point is the wording of those repeated lines. You may have to adjust several times if not planned out well originally. The repetition should flow logically so as to be almost unnoticed. One good way to accomplish that is with enjambment, construct those lines so that they can fit smoothly as an extension of whatever line they follow. As soon as you have one that seems out-of-place, it becomes obvious that you are repeating and that detracts from the whole.

Another worthwhile point is to start with a proposition or thought then have each tercet develop on the previous so that it leads the reader in a circular thought pattern where the quatrain summarizes the original thought.

These things can be a real challenge to do right. Good luck.


Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

7 posted 2005-05-30 11:56 PM


What pray tell is a villanelle?
If one would ask, I would reply,
It is a poem straight from hell.

It is quite hard to write one well,
A villanelle can make men cry,
What pray tell is a villanelle?

Two rhymes is all, that starts off swell,
Then things head south, I shall not lie,
It is a poem straight from hell.

Five triplet stanzas, a sixth does dwell,
But as quatrain, left high and dry,
What pray tell is a villanelle?

Repeat line one, then three as well,
As per the rules, don't ask me why,
It is a poem straight from hell.

The time has come to bid goodbye,
But of my answer one can't deny,
What pray tell is a villanelle?
It is a poem straight from hell.

[This message has been edited by Tim (05-31-2005 08:15 AM).]

timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
8 posted 2005-05-31 12:39 PM


LOL @ Tim....

Ya know, that seems to be the general consensus as of late.  I have looked into it and I'm not 100% sure that I am quite ready to torture myself in such a manner.  As I know me, I know that I will become obsessed with it too a point that it may turn me against writing all together haha

I think I will try something a little less involved for now, as time is not something that is in high supply around here.

I did love your poem thought even if it was "straight from hell" haha

Thanks everyone, but I think that I will stick to what I know and what is a little easier to accomplish for now.

Tima

Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
9 posted 2005-05-31 02:44 AM


Well, there's always the pantoum....
timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
10 posted 2005-05-31 03:17 AM


that don't even look easy, and that smiley face morphing into a bat just skeered me into thinking that I shall not try this one either... lol

I do still have that craving to write something new and different from my style.. yet I am still researching and while I was doing that, I got hung up on Elizabeth and Robert Browning poetry and OMG now, I'm hooked.  I just love their style, and their muses.

So, when I decide what it is that I am gonna do, I will certainly let you all know

Oh, and Alicat... that stuff you sent me in email was wonderful m'friend.  I have read it several times, and each time I walk away with something new.  What a great write !!

)))HUGS ALL(((

Tima

Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
11 posted 2005-05-31 08:21 AM


How about a simple sonnet?  They're easier and definitely rewarding to write...
Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
12 posted 2005-05-31 12:07 PM


Perhaps it may be better to just use a special meter and number of syllables, without cornering yourself into a definite number of lines or stanzas.   This shall give you much more room with your content and expression, while you work with giving your poem the special quality of the meter you choose.  Just a suggestion.

Wish you well in your writing.

Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
13 posted 2005-05-31 04:20 PM


Hey, Tim...that was good! If the first line in the quatrain had rhymed with the last two it would have been great...
Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
14 posted 2005-05-31 04:25 PM



That's not hard to fix.
Just change goodbye to farewell

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
15 posted 2005-05-31 04:45 PM





You folks are wonderful!

Tina, I wasn't even going to get into this but I read it anyway [the number count kept going UP] - and you've got some of the best teachers giving some wonderful examples.

Me?

Been there, done that, it sucked.

Back to free verse.


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