L Milton Hankins Poet Villanelle

Night Sonatas

When all the noises around me are still,
I most clearly hear the voices in my head
It is then I experience the ultimate thrill.

Of melodies churning in my mind until
They find pleasure in my fingers instead,
When all the noises around me are still.

My fingers race across the keys in a trill,
Sometimes when I am asleep in my bed,
It is then I experience the ultimate thrill.

At the pianoforte, in my dreams, fulfill
The sonatas in the right key my soul bled,
When all the noises around me are still.

I hear the applause of an audience till
An encore plays over and over, I am lead
It is then I experience the ultimate thrill.

As I cannot seem to get ovations to fill
My heart and soul are insatiably fed,
It is then I experience the ultimate thrill
When all the noises around me are still. 

Written November 21, 2022

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Andrea Dietrich December 15, 2022 at 8:51 AM Congrats for your marathon win with this excellent example of a well written villanelle, Milt.

Lin Lane December 8, 2022 at 11:26 AM I've never been gratified by learning how to play any instrument, but if I had to choose one, it would've been the piano. Congratulations on running a fine Mile 21, Milton. L Milton Hankins December 8, 2022 at 11:33 AM Thanks so much, Lin. Playing and teaching piano has been a great source of pleasure for me for a very long time. I so enjoy it, particularly during the holiday season.

Sam Kauffman December 8, 2022 at 11:21 AM Milt, your villanelle has perfect pitch like a dreamy Barcarolle from Hoffman's Tales. We are so blessed to be able to play the piano. I hear strains of Debussy's Claire de Lune in every stanza. In college I spent six months studying this piece in my major piano class. This is so lovely in its simplicity. Congratulations on your win! Blessings of joy to you! Sam Kauffman December 12, 2022 at 2:13 PM How blessed are we to play the piano! Like you I go back to favorite pieces like Claire de Lune and Moonlight Sonata that bring such joy even if I play theme badly! L Milton Hankins December 8, 2022 at 11:34 AM Thank you so much, Sam. Your review reminded me of how long I spent conquering Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Of course, my fingers are too stiff now with arthritis to play it well, but I still enjoy going over parts of it occasionally.

Susan Ashley December 7, 2022 at 6:21 PM Dear Milt, your title is perfect for this dreamy beauty. Such wonderful musical imagery. Congratulations for your lovely win in Mark’s contest. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan L Milton Hankins December 7, 2022 at 6:23 PM Thank you so much, Susan. I see that you are way ahead of me in the race. Keep it up!!!

Mark Toney December 7, 2022 at 11:39 AM Milton, this is a lovely villanelle. Love the stanza, "Of melodies churning in my mind until ~ They find pleasure in my fingers instead, ~ When all the noises around me are still." I always wanted to learn how to play the piano, so I bought one. Not quite the same as knowing how to play :( Congratulations on your win on Mile 21 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on because Mile 22 has already started. L Milton Hankins December 7, 2022 at 6:25 PM Thank you so much, Mark. So, start taking lessons. Adults learn to play much faster than children do.

Jeff Kyser December 7, 2022 at 10:07 AM Nice work, and congrats on the contest placement as well - I have been so hit-or-miss on this marathon! Unlike your poem, I can't seem to hit the right note with much consistency L Milton Hankins December 7, 2022 at 6:24 PM Actually, me neither, Jeff, but I have managed to get a placement four or five times. I keep struggling along.

Jenna Logan November 21, 2022 at 2:40 PM If music is soothing, you're fortunate to be able to play the piano. Great rhyming in your lines. L Milton Hankins November 21, 2022 at 2:51 PM I do play piano and organ. After retiring from the ministry, I played for two Lutheran churches and retired again after ten years of "getting paid to play." I love that phrase. It sounds so risqué. Thanks, Jenna. Incidentally, I am often playing piano in my dreams.