One of the wonderful things about posting poems in the blogosphere, is that I get to read, enjoy and be educated by other blog poets and become enlightened and charmed by their love of various poetic forms: sonnets, haikus, tankas, rondeaus, villanelles and so on and so on. . . It has been a joy of discovery for me, and so, here I go – humbly – offering up my first attempt at a villanelle.
transcendent, as a leaf upon a breeze
surrendering to breath on which it sails
in grips of wind gusts, free - but yet, not free
far flung from stands of great cathedral trees
rustling sighs, resplendent in green veils
transcendent, as a leaf upon a breeze
abiding, as the earth and skies and seas
through raging blows and blasts of storms and gales
in grips of wind gusts, free - but yet, not free
the certainty, that what will be: will be
and in that truth the universe prevails
transcendent, as a leaf upon a breeze
and in that truth there is serenity
in heaven clouds, or earthly spirit trails
in grips of wind gusts, free - but yet, not free
peace – in the perfect calm simplicity,
the letting go of useless, vain travails –
transcendent, as a leaf upon a breeze
in grips of wind gusts, free – but yet, not free
note: posted on the Society of Classical Poets website, 2017 and published in Encompass V (Beret Day Press), 2016.
The prompt from Poetry Jam this week is Lost and Found. I believe, many things that often seem lost, come back to us on a metaphysical or spiritual level and I have attempted to capture that here.
The prompt from Poetry Jam this week is Lost and Found. I believe, many things that often seem lost, come back to us on a metaphysical or spiritual level and I have attempted to capture that here.
photo: Tall Tree - Still Growing –
W. Bourke
©
2014 Wendy Bourke
A beautiful poem and you have done so well with the form. I had tried villanelle sometimes back and I very much like this form.Great going!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vandana! You've settled my nervous angst down, considerably. Smiles.
DeleteI love that feeling of letting go and experiencing the freeing wind, this is complex and mesmerizing, a perfect picture of life and love,
ReplyDeleteYou have written a beautiful poem, Wendy. Great use of the form in expressing closeness to nature as a means to let go and enjoy the experience.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with your first villanelle, Wendy. I find the repetition of "free--but yet not free" really strengthens your message. I enjoyed the idea of letting go of useless travails and just knowing that what will be will be is a way of finding peace!
ReplyDeletenice...i have never tried a villanelle though i have read quite a few of them...and you did very well esp for the first time...and i think that your message comes through as well without the need to address it directly, which i find very cool....sometimes we have to let go as well to find our way back...smiles.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is beautifully written :) And this form of poetry is something I hadn't heard of before! Would love to try it once :)
ReplyDeleteSwathi's Lost and Found Poem
It's great to try this form Wendy! It is beautiful! I've not just yet but may be later. And to relate it to nature is a beautiful thing, to let go a little and benefit in the process! Great!
ReplyDeleteHank
Your villanelle is executed to perfection and I love the imagery in it - the wind gusts, the "great cathedral trees" - "and in that truth the universe prevails"......a wonderful write, full of wisdom, it lifts the heart to read it.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive--this is not an easy form!!
ReplyDeletethe fourth stanza becomes the fulcrum of the whole poem revealing the great truth of certainty of the uncertain future and how the universe knows the mantra of existence.....
ReplyDeletei love the leaf metaphor...this one's a perfect vilanelle Wendy...great lines :)
You've done well on this one, Wendy! Having lost my dad this past week, this poem hit me as every special ... the form is complex (to me), but the image of the leaf being carried away on a breeze ... sigh.
ReplyDeleteI love this type. Have done a couple, and they are fun to get flowing! This is lovely. Too many lines to love here!
ReplyDeleteYou have really mastered this form. Well done ! You have made me feel very lazy:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem.. Villanelles are so much fun, and so tricky.. you managed so well in those repeated lines not sounding repetitive... and I have written a few... the subject chosen is so well done too.. and it can almost be a response to Dylan Thomas (do not go gentle into that good night).. a gentler response than his rage..
ReplyDeleteActually, Bjorn, it was your villanelles (light as air and yet, loaded) that inspired me to try my hand at one. If I recall, correctly, I mentioned on your blog, some time back (quite awhile back, in blog-time) I had begun my attempt . . . and it has taken me this long, EEECH (an eternity in blog-time) - but, as you say - so much fun. Thank you for that gift!
DeleteOh yes I remember that comment.. I think the form lend itself to laying puzzles..
DeleteDeep and beautiful, Wendy. And just your first attempt?
ReplyDeleteYou're making me want to explore this form.
Hi and thanks to all. I seem to be experiencing tech troubles - out of nowhere - but will get back on board, as soon as possible. Again, thank you for the thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm back up and running. Apparently, I accidentally locked my mouse pad. Ha!
Deleteand in that truth there is serenity........so true and loved this line.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried Villanelle but would love to explore this form of verse.
This is a beauutiful poem.
One has to let go to find oneself...very nice Villanelle..
ReplyDeleteI like the lyricism and tranquility of your poem. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, Wendy--stellar work! The second and third tercets are especially gorgeous to me. So cool you gave this form a go! And I agree with your sentiments on what one can gain here in the world of poetry blogging, it is so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAh .... one of my favorite poetic forms ... you've done beautifully! One would never guess that this is a first effort. Brava!
ReplyDelete