Debbie Guzzi Poet Villanelle

Notes About The Poem

The Tall Ships Burn

Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
singed by sullen Sol, not stayed by Poseidon's hand;
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.

Impenitent, sky rains ash blackening the night.
Fire sends a smoky pall upon the sea and land,
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.

Fire eats: the air, snuffs man's breath; highlighting their plight,
all hands on deck, the Captain calls, out his command.
Aflame, aflame, tall ship burns, see their masts ignite.

Hell's inferno comes calling on this sun lit night,
foul winds blow, fire roars, and so the flames are fanned;
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.

Without their ship, crews are lost to a debtors blight.
Up the went like scarecrows shriven by the brand,
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.

Cinder shower catch the dock; workers run in fright.
Pain and heartache fill the wharf; still, they must disband.
Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.

Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Night' by Turner

Published by Dual Coast 2014

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Maurice Yvonne April 25, 2015 at 5:54 AM I ran out of space so just to clarify you wrote the poem you wanted to write with none of the disciplines impeding that goal. This is easier said than done and that is what makes you a great poet and a great writer!

Maurice Yvonne April 25, 2015 at 5:51 AM I'm not sure all readers understand the challenge of this piece. Firstly you are dealing with a fine painting. Secondly you are doing it within the confines of a villanelle. So you want to as a poet do justice to the piece of art you are writting about. Also you want to write an unencumbered villanelle. By this I mean as is true of all forms you want to own it not the other way around. We have to believe every word is there by choice. You accomplished it all. You have a marvelous poem. A Fav!

Kp Nunez April 21, 2015 at 7:31 AM Held me till the end with each suspenseful line. Awesome write on such a tragedy. Your pen but using a nom de plume, Deb? :) Debbie Guzzi April 21, 2015 at 8:15 AM Kim the verse is what's called an Ekphrasis done in the form of a Villanelle - the artists name was Turner dear. I don't use a pen name.

Charmaine Chircop April 20, 2015 at 5:34 PM What a tragic story you've penned sweet ma.I could feel the flames and inhale the smoke.. An excellent Villanelle!Charma

M. L. Kiser April 20, 2015 at 2:39 PM I have to say that this Villanelle had me on the edge of my seat! Fabulous imagery.