Villanelle Poems

Inspired by the poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight" by Dylan Thomas and the following quote by William Shakespeare:

 “When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven...Read More

You love your purebred. I'll love my 
Whatachamacallit.
I wonder how he came to be at our back door?
I must admit
He is exquisite
For something I've never seen before.
You love your purebred. I'll love my
Whatachamacallit.
Darling he's a misfit that will fit
Right in...Read More

Villanelle : Never political but spiritual the ancient Indo-Chinese pilgrim ties

       In Memory of the late pathologist (and amateur Astronomer) 
Associate Professor CHONG Siew Meng, National University of Singapore*


Never political but spiritual the ancient...Read More

The Divide
by Michael R. Burch

The sea was not salt the first tide ...
was man born to sorrow that first day
with the moon—a pale beacon across the Divide,
the brighter for longing, an object denied—
the tug at his heart's pink, bourgeoning clay?

The...Read More

I saw a dragon fly.
This wasn't my imagination
He was a reflection in the water near my boat
From the clouds in the sky.
Pictures don't lie.
The dragon was there for a short duration.
I saw a dragon fly.
I saw it with my own...Read More

Hello. Mr. Wizard.
I heard you could help me out.
My engine has had me so disturbed
And your wisdom has been whispered
All about.
Hello. Mr. Wizard
Your friend referred
Me to you since I am in doubt
On my engine which has had me so disturbed.
According...Read More

Pirates were known for their notorious acts of
This or that.
I learned while traveling the seas
That they were A mean frat
With an endless rum vat
Which got them in to all kinds of troubles on their
Journeys.
Pirates were known for their notorious acts...Read More

A Villanelle –AUTUMN’S Dawn

...couldn't stop thinking about the AUTUMN’S Dawn
She was just so tough and unkind
Never had she known anything so wrong

That morning, Autumn was shocked by the song
She had to calm herself with a mind
Adam couldn't stop thinking about...Read More

The quiet Squam casting its reflection
Of blazing red mountains, against blue sky; 
Stirring emotions of natures connection.

Remembering our silent affection,
Embracing, gazing, a loons distant cry,
The quiet Squam casting its reflection.

Rattlesnake trail leads to the attraction,
Bringing us above, to where our...Read More

Marigolds bring copper, brass and gold 
to add to Autumn's floral treasure chest 
flaunting colors that are strikingly bold

Roses are vulnerable to the cold
and whilst their dying petals look distressed
Marigolds bring copper, brass and gold.

Late Autumn they're a sight to...Read More

sleep comes slow tonight, the streets outside
heavy with moist-scent, like a spook house mist
the gentle wind throws me a kiss, from a lonely cloud

distant trains ride parallel tracks, through unnamed towns
sending out tormented sounds, from the Mary Celeste
you can hear...Read More

We were living the dream
Traveling the ICW water way.
It wasn't at all like the u tube videos made it seem.
We were learning how to work as a team
Through this desolate passage way.
We were living the dream.
You only have a certain...Read More

Unnameable the moment  when it starts
The  sun goes turns black  and flowers  die on the stalk
The agony in the garden of the heart

Unnatural rhythms  subvert  accountants’ charts
Poor nestlings feel  the  onslaught of...Read More

I heard old weather beaten sea Captains say Lord 
Let my anchor hold as I lay my head down to sleep
For being a sailor isn't as easy as one would think.
My Lord takes care of me in my keep
From ending...Read More

Gather around an I'll tell ye a tale
Of infamous pirates who in their hey day
Lived in old Bull Bay.
These guys were scurvy naves, cut throats, liars,
Thieves, and believe it or not it all added up to 
Typical drunks who would...Read More

As summer ends, fall's panoply unfolds
first frost uncovers autumn’s brilliant tones
of red, yellow, orange and antique gold.

Bright butterflies flit among flowers bold
asters white and yellow by nature sown
as summer ends, fall's panoply unfolds.

From host branches, leaves break at petiole
descending earthward...Read More

By Parizo Van Thulare 

I'm not hurting coz I'm soft 
I'm not sad coz I'm like croft 
I'm not mad coz my heart is -15 knot
I'm crying coz you fail to notice me when I'm okay not 

I've never cried...Read More

I don't feel like a pirate
As I travel along carefree.
My husband navigates
Us through the channels, as boats, ships, and
Tankers, accelerate and decelerate.
He is definitely the captain on this journey.
I don't feel like a pirate
I celebrate
All I see.
My husband navigates
As he...Read More

 (SAMPLE: ***A pantoum is a rare form of poetry similar to a villanelle as it repeats its lines, composed from a series of four-lines in three-stanzas.)


1) Hark, brazen tis starry-eyed moon hath visit yon October night,
2) Dwelt autumn leaves...Read More

The wayward swimmers of the mega-rich,
Their, intrepid pools stretch longer than homes,
Filled with oddities compelled to their niche,

A place can be found in a watered ditch,
Perchance a pool, right place, and right time zone,
The wayward swimmers of the mega-rich,

Place for...Read More

Embraced  entire , your sacred smile held me
Until we  both were one deep in  our souls
As still as a white dove  held tenderly

 

For a little time so warm and free
As if your smile contained ...Read More

I found a friendship I can't deny
So with this heart 
I couldn't say goodbye.
When I think of you I'll always remember how you
Sweet child celebrated my birthday and the fourth
Of July.
We shared what I saw in the sky
And water with...Read More

‘Tis twilight’s trips on dawn made sun errant,
Go forth into time and pay due homage, 
And your return to silence is current,

Those with weak goals are made less coherent,
‘Twas a toxic night pace turns back a page,
‘Tis twilight’s trips on...Read More

'Tis of time fragments its seconds strike three,
One enters through the world's door till strikes four,
Locked in Twilight's zone, witch brew set it free,

Chaos and Havoc, the demons twins be,
Guardians of Hell's Gate, watch o'er worlds door,
'Tis of time fragments...Read More

Save the night, spare the day, make the prayer,
Slay foes of virtue, release thine equals,
Purpose a natural course to somewhere,

Our legions have crossed the forbidden square,
They will come in parts as in like sequels,
Save the night, spare the day, make...Read More

Read wonderful villanelle poetry on the following sub-topics: art, animals, christmas, death, family, flowers, food, friendship, funny, kids, life, love, music, nature, school, spring, sports, war, winter and more. Read a definition and example (where appropriate).