Notes About The Poem

Irregular Villanelle, not for a contest

Since rhymes can be so constraining, I worked the ends with near rhymes or sounds.

Gargoyle Guard-irregular villanelle

Set your scowl in stone; immovable neck.
Lace an ornate pearl necklace around throat.
You stand at a cold precipice, a rock.

A snake with slinky-bones, writhing, not slack,
And fangs of gold - they’re not nearly a threat.
Set your scowl in stone; immovable neck.

Those pearly teeth squeeze, kiss with velvet peck;
Constricts like a boa with bruised forget.
You stand at a cold precipice, a rock.

Let down your gargoyle guard, for not a sec.
Why’d you set paper mâché, were you provoked?
Set your scowl in stone; immovable neck.

Spectacular species, like grunting hock,
And won’t even say boo, like bully ghost.
You stand at a cold precipice, a rock.

Unconscionable, a solid train wreck;
Ancestors and posterity revolt.
Set your scowl in stone; immovable neck.
You stand at a cold precipice, a rock.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Harp Avatar
October 14, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Wow, Kim, I really like this poem. And it's so well crafted too. Great images and phrases. Moon Harp
Rodrigues Avatar
October 15, 2025 at 6:38 AM
I appreciate that so much! Hugs
Greenhough Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 12:42 AM
I like the avant guard style. The descriptive words brings the gargoyle to life.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Thank you, Hilda!
Crandall Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I enjoyed reading about these scowling, immovable gargoyles. I've always loved gargoyles. At least I did when I was in France. You never much see them around here.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 6:06 AM
I saw them in Paris at Notre Dame before the fire.
Rolland Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
powerful poem, i loved the music and magic of some words, nicely written,
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Thank you, Yann! I always appreciate you!
Hind Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Wow. This possesses with its power! What imagery...I love that "cold precipice a rock"..."gargoyle guard" both lines turn in and out in my head, Kim <3
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Thank you! Glad you liked those parts, Paige!
Etgen-Baker Avatar
October 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I found your poem intense and thought provoking...these lines spoke to me: Ancestors and posterity revolt. Set your scowl in stone; immovable neck. You stand at a cold precipice, a rock.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2025 at 6:08 AM
So glad you liked those parts, Sara! Thank you for faithful reading. I appreciate you!
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