Priorities Viewed By a Dying Man

Death be not proud but humble with strife
Old man flicks ashes, has one last choke
‘Tis nothing to fear, just the nature of life
 
Many passed before him, cut off like a knife
They fester in his memory with this his final smoke
Death be not proud but humble with strife

In youth there were ladies, his courtships were rife 
But never a vow, no promises he spoke
‘Tis nothing to fear, just the nature of life
 
He lived wild and free, never seeking a wife 
Much wealth he acquired, never to be broke 
Death be not proud but humble with strife

He failed to see beyond the edge of gold’s knife
Shared nothing, loved no one, found no comforting cloak 
‘Tis nothing to fear, just the nature of life
 
Tonight he wishes that he should have changed his life
He snuffs his candle, knows he’ll not feel heaven’s stroke
Death be not proud but humble with strife
‘Tis nothing to fear, just the nature of life

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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12
Date: 6/30/2011 5:11:00 AM
A belated congratulations Carolyn on your win in Brian Strand's "One Off" contest. Love, Carol
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Date: 6/20/2011 8:00:00 PM
Deep and powerful write Carolyn!Congrats on your win.
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Date: 6/18/2011 6:16:00 AM
ohh so dark! Hard to believe anyone could chose this for themselves but they do. Congrad's Light & Love
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Date: 6/17/2011 11:49:00 PM
Well done Villanelle. Great work Carolyn. Congratulations to us this time. Love, Joyce
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Date: 6/17/2011 9:48:00 PM
Sad one and very powerful one too. Congratulations on your awesome win, Carolyn.
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Date: 6/17/2011 12:11:00 AM
sunny congrats on your top win in brian's "off , one" , carols! we are all no.1 here in the contest! :) huggs
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Date: 5/29/2011 1:58:00 PM
Very good Villanelle.Vivid descriptions of the priorities of a dying man...
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Date: 2/15/2011 7:59:00 PM
I will have to try writing something of my own like this. Your entry looks like a good example of a villanelle.
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Date: 7/6/2010 7:20:00 AM
A very beautiful write, Carolyn! Congratulations on you 2nd Place Win! Excellent imagery and that line, "Shared nothing, loved no one, found no comforting cloak.." wow! Scary and sad. Love, Audrey
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Date: 7/3/2010 12:47:00 PM
hey Carolyn, Great entry and a worthy win. Enjoy your winnings. keep up the great work. keep enjoying your writings, have a lovely weekend. Love, Adeleke
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Date: 7/3/2010 9:10:00 AM
"He failed to see beyond the edge of gold’s knife", love that line. Excellent poem, really enjoyed. Congrats on your win.
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Date: 7/3/2010 8:21:00 AM
Beautifully done, Carolyn!! you told a woeful story in thhis wonderful villanelle! Deserving to win!! ~ Carrie
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Date: 7/3/2010 4:08:00 AM
Incredible story told in this sensational Villanelle, Carolyn Congratulations on your win. Love, Lainie
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Date: 7/3/2010 12:28:00 AM
Congratulations, Carolyn. So nice to see you in the top three. I wish you the best July 4th weekend ever. LUv, Andrea
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Date: 7/2/2010 11:09:00 PM
Congratulations on your success in this competitions Carolyn. Agape, Moses
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Date: 7/2/2010 10:38:00 PM
Congrats. on your 2nd place win in my contest
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Date: 7/2/2010 10:13:00 PM
Clngratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
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Date: 6/14/2010 12:06:00 AM
wow, your villanelle is very deep and I really like it. I am sure it's gonna do so well. The one i posted tonight was not my official entry. Gosh, maybe it is better than my Dark Knight. Let me know what you think. PRobably too late to switch them out! Thanks so much for seenig my blog. LUv Andrea
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Date: 6/11/2010 4:07:00 AM
Dear Carolyn, YOU are a great POET and Teacher I learned much about this form from reading this Artistic work Congratulations LOVE YOUR Liege ALWAYS...HG
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Date: 6/8/2010 11:24:00 AM
Great write good luck in the contest...Do you know this person? Or is this an imaginery person...Keep the creative pen flowing..Sara
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Date: 6/8/2010 11:22:00 AM
Wonder if this is someone that you know?...Good write on a topic that is not mentioned much...I meet a man one time who said that he and his wife decided to not have children because if you had children all your money went to children and he wanted something in life besides a child....He was wealthy and wanted me to view all that he owned which did not really interest me...He did not like me very well because of that ...Good luck in the contest...Keep the creative pen flowing...Sara
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Date: 6/7/2010 11:50:00 AM
Carolyn, good luck in Dr.Ram's contest with this fine poetry. Podium bound you are girl >> James
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Date: 6/6/2010 8:13:00 PM
Beautiful villanelle. Glad I found it. The contests are moving so fast, I can't get anything else attended to. I am going to be gone most of this week, so I will fall behind. Thanks for commenting. Love, Joyce
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Date: 6/6/2010 7:55:00 PM
I have not tried this yet. It looks so very hard, but you threaded this through very well. I may have to practice away from the soup. -----Charles
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Date: 6/6/2010 6:57:00 AM
Carolyn, this is a very deep poem - well said. I thank you for your comments, Yf4L God Bless, mj
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12
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