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She Sits Alone

The fire within her burning bright, her eyes, now dry, once overflowed. She sits alone and waits to write. It nearly snuffed her inner light; his passing seems so long ago, the fire within her burning bright. They don’t know grief, but that’s alright. She braves a smile, puts on a show. She sits alone and waits to write. She feels his presence every night, her heart, an ember all aglow, the fire within her burning bright… She longs to hold her small one tight; the cancer, cruel, took him slow. She sits alone and waits to write. And so she waits; she doesn’t fight. The words and tears, a tidal flow. The fire within her burning bright, she sits alone and writes and writes. ————— for the Third-Person Villanelle Poetry Contest sponsored by L Milton Hankins written on 10/30/22

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 12/1/2022 1:55:00 AM
This was penned very well. Enjoyed it very much. —MDJ
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:14:00 AM
Thanks so much for the read and the comment!
Date: 11/24/2022 9:39:00 AM
wow this is so poignant. I can see how it got a win. Love this Jeff. Congratulations.
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:16:00 AM
Late getting back here - thanks, Andrea - I have a hard time with these repeat line formats (villanelle, pantoum, etc.), so I'm thankful that the contests "make" me try my hand at them regularly. I appreciate the comments!
Date: 11/24/2022 5:14:00 AM
well-put with such fervor, Jeff. I congratulate you on a fine villanelle with such appeal. Thanks for sharing this third person write with us.
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:16:00 AM
Thanks so much for your gracious comment!
Date: 11/23/2022 11:40:00 PM
very touching and well written in this difficult form; congratulations
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:16:00 AM
Thank you, Terry - I really appreciate it!
Date: 11/23/2022 8:23:00 PM
"She sits alone and waits to write" - Beautiful.
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Date: 11/23/2022 6:33:00 PM
Beautiful and heartbreaking Jeff, very impactful words. Well done
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:18:00 AM
Thanks, Hat - specifics somewhat of a poetic license, but I do know that writing is catharsis - have a great day!
Date: 11/23/2022 4:06:00 PM
You've written a wonderful Villanelle, Jeff. I'm glad to see it on the winning list. Congratulations!
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 12/1/2022 3:17:00 AM
Thanks, Jenna!
Date: 11/23/2022 8:37:00 AM
Congratulations, Jeff, on your placement in my contest. Your touching poem well-deserved this spot.
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 11/23/2022 8:57:00 AM
Thanks so much for the placement and for sponsoring the contest, Milt.
Date: 11/1/2022 7:15:00 AM
Awesomeness Jeff! Love it! Linda Alice
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Date: 10/31/2022 3:38:00 PM
Excellent! Love it!
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Date: 10/31/2022 5:48:00 AM
Cancel the contest!!!!! We have a winner here. Masterfully done Jeff. this stopped me in my tracks as I read and re-read it.
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Jeff Kyser
Date: 10/31/2022 7:19:00 AM
You're very kind, John - I struggle with these forms that re-use lines in a non-refrain way, and this form in particular. Thanks for the read and the comments!

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