Carolyn Devonshire Poet Villanelle

Notes About The Poem

 

He

Mocks

Me

He Mocks Me

A mockingbird outside my door will sing
He serenades and taunts me with his song
In early morn before alarm can ring

He sings year-round, not only in the spring
I try to tell myself he’ll not last long
A mockingbird outside my door will sing

At times his little neck I’d like to wring
Though surely he thinks I should play along
In early morn before alarm can ring

This bird sings loudly, thinking he is king
Although I beg for quiet, he’s headstrong
A mockingbird outside my door will sing

Ignoring me when I cry out, “Take wing!”
This agony I choose not to prolong
In early morn before alarm can ring

With lady birds, you’d think he’d have a fling
I fear I’m doomed to listen all lifelong
A mockingbird outside my door will sing
In early morn before alarm can ring




*Written January 13, 2019

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Line Gauthier February 11, 2019 at 11:14 PM Delightful, Carolyn. Much enjoyed. Congrats on your win.

Andrea Dietrich January 26, 2019 at 7:39 PM I was really hoping to see you on the list. I adored it the first time and now seeing it again. Congratulations.

Janice Canerdy January 26, 2019 at 5:55 PM CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win, Carolyn! I love the humor in this one! Janice

Joyce Johnson January 26, 2019 at 4:46 PM Nicely done Carolyn. I put in one I had written a few years ago as I had to hurry she had her contest almost filled. Joyce

Dale Gregory Cozart January 26, 2019 at 2:43 PM I know exactly how you feel! Very funny and well done. Congrats!

Jennifer Proxenos January 22, 2019 at 12:55 PM Lovely rhyme and story to this poem. I know the feeling - you are just dozing off and you are awakened, again, and again and again - one of the ladies that works for us sings from 8.00 a.m to 2.00p.m when she leaves - no problem on a weekday, but on a Saturday could scream! Great write Caroline, Jennifer. Carolyn Devonshire January 22, 2019 at 1:05 PM The lady you mention may not even realize her song offends, so I'm glad you take it in stride. The mockingbird is quite loud and always sings in time to wake me from a deep sleep. Still, he is nature's child and I should applaud his persistence.

CayCay Godwin January 19, 2019 at 12:30 AM It's a problem. That's such a problem and I bet nobody fully understands the magnitude of this problem in your life! HA, I loved what I saw as 'humor' in this. It is very creative and I admit, I did grin through it. Poetry hugs ... CayCay

James Horn January 15, 2019 at 4:38 PM He is who we have here in South close and near when he does sing so dear. Always love her poems in their entire; They had been written by Devonshire; Always meant, To me be sent. When desire to write more did transpire.

Arthur Vaso January 15, 2019 at 1:16 AM I thought for a sec that poor bird was going to end up in a haunted house!!! Loved this poem too!

Wren Rushing January 14, 2019 at 6:15 PM I agree with the comment below. I have a rooster who can't tell time. A lovely poem Carolyn! Good luck in Nina's contest!

Constance La France January 14, 2019 at 11:09 AM Carolyn, a sweet write, there are worse ways to be woken up, I love waking to a bird song. Best of luck in the contest but this is a winner for me ~ Carolyn Devonshire January 15, 2019 at 8:07 AM True, but at 3 o'clock every morning? You must like to get up earlier than I do.

Jan Allison January 14, 2019 at 10:55 AM oh how charming a poem Carolyn I can almost hear him singing made me smile about wringing its neck I can imagine it can be an irritation to some!:-) hugs Jan x

Bobby May January 14, 2019 at 4:42 AM This is awesome Carolyn great Job my friend!

Andrea Dietrich January 13, 2019 at 8:14 PM I LOVE this villanelle. It's just adorable, CArolyn. HOpe it wins!! Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 10:26 PM Glad you enjoyed it, Andrea. Writing a villanelle is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle...

M. L. Kiser January 13, 2019 at 2:07 PM Mockingbirds can be formidable; I had a cat once, whose tail they pecked down to the bone because they thought he'd gotten their baby; the baby had evidently fallen from the nest as that particular cat didn't chase birds. We had to carry him in, out and to his box, he was in so much pain. Good Villanelle; I don't like writing them but, I am amazed when someone writes them well like this.

P.S. Awtry January 13, 2019 at 12:36 PM This made me smile. We have had one that would wake us in the darkest hours. (I can’t remember now if it’s a seasonal thing.). Fortunately for the mocking bird, it is supposed to bring bad luck to kill one... It is more than his mimicry that is mocking! Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 3:54 PM I won't even kill spiders, PS. This bird begins singing each morning at 3 a.m. It seems to enjoy taking the stage when other birds are resting. The number of songs it can tweet is truly amazing and, if it didn't wake me up, I wouldn't mind listening to it.

Vladislav Raven January 13, 2019 at 9:55 AM Hi Carolyn, this is a wonderful Villanelle. It sings into the mind of the reader, painting such strong imagery. This is such an excellent Villanelle Carolyn. it reads like a winner to me. Good luck in the contest. I have done very few Villanelles and I find them difficult to do. This is so well written. We have the trouble with seagulls where I live. I can't hear the morning birds sing in the front of the house but my sister can in the back. Have a wonderful Sunday. Hugs....Mike. XX Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 10:02 AM The villanelle form requires concentration. I had to highlight the repeating verses and put them in place before adding the lines that don't repeat, yet have a designated rhyme. It's a good mental exercise. So glad you enjoyed this, Vladislav!

Vijay Pandit January 13, 2019 at 9:22 AM Sounds so musical..a lovely rhythmic poem you wrote Carolyn..so well written..best for a win. Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 9:47 AM He starts singing every morning at 3 a.m. I think he hides in a big holly bush outside the door. Thanks for reading, Vijay.

Silent One January 13, 2019 at 5:56 AM Great villanelle, which can be a difficult form.. Every morning there is chorus of birds outside my window.. Mockingbird probably wants to keep you company... one day it will fly away and you will probably miss it... Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 6:07 AM There was an owl I saved from a hawk when I lived in Tallahassee and it sang to me nightly for years. The mockingbird, however, has such a repertoire and is so loud that one can't sleep through it. This bird has been outside my house for years now, unless I'm getting new mockinbirds periodically. Ugh.

Mystic Rose Rose January 13, 2019 at 4:23 AM May that mocking bird sing to you for a lifetime and more dear Carolyn, may he find sanctuary in your smile and your beautiful heart. Love you . take care, dear friend, from your little Mystic xo Carolyn Devonshire January 13, 2019 at 5:19 AM Congratulations on your well-earned win in Mark's contest! Best wishes, Carolyn I kind of thought it might be you. Let's try to stay in touch this time. This bird reluctantly made his way into my heart, remaining in even will renaming of our natural entries.! BCD