deepundergroundpoetry.com
Villanelle Nr.18 — What Einstein Said
We’re still not sure what Einstein said
despite he’s quoted quite a lot
and we can’t ask him since he’s dead
he never gave a talk on TED,
his you-tube clips are doctored rot
so how to know what Einstein said?
and what went on inside his head
is relative — (or was it not?)
… we can’t ask him since he’s dead
iconic hair with lots of cred
a mystic too, so what’s the plot?
we’re still not sure what Einstein said
his “E is M.C squared” has led
to atom bombs and God knows what …
but we can’t ask him since he’s dead
the kosher truth has upped and fled
his legacy has gone to pot —
don’t ask me what Einstein said
I never met the man — he’s dead!
despite he’s quoted quite a lot
and we can’t ask him since he’s dead
he never gave a talk on TED,
his you-tube clips are doctored rot
so how to know what Einstein said?
and what went on inside his head
is relative — (or was it not?)
… we can’t ask him since he’s dead
iconic hair with lots of cred
a mystic too, so what’s the plot?
we’re still not sure what Einstein said
his “E is M.C squared” has led
to atom bombs and God knows what …
but we can’t ask him since he’s dead
the kosher truth has upped and fled
his legacy has gone to pot —
don’t ask me what Einstein said
I never met the man — he’s dead!
Published 9th Apr 2021
| Edited 11th Mar 2024
Author's Note
Comp entry for 'Villanelle Hell', hosted by Ljdynamic.
Villanelle Nr.19 can be found here:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/418867-woke-an-extended-villanelle/
Villanelle Nr 17 can be found here:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/366259-bureaucrat-a-villanelle/
(Drawings by Veronika Bond [https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poets/VeronikaB/] )
Villanelle Nr.19 can be found here:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/418867-woke-an-extended-villanelle/
Villanelle Nr 17 can be found here:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/366259-bureaucrat-a-villanelle/
(Drawings by Veronika Bond [https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poets/VeronikaB/] )
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 13
reading list entries 8
comments 16
reads 763
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
9th Apr 2021 10:45pm
30th Apr 2021 9:38pm
Thank you - now NaPo 2021 is over, I'm just catching up on commenting. Glad you liked it, Josh.
10th Apr 2021 00:06am
Fantastic! This mystic business makes me wonder where (or from whom) his knowledge of some things came from. But never mind me, I have watched far too many episodes of Ancient Aliens.
30th Apr 2021 9:40pm
After NaPo, a little relaxation with Ancient Aliens sounds a good option ... though with the busiest time of year in the growing season I'll probably outside tending the quinta/garden. RL appreciated.
10th Apr 2021 1:57am
30th Apr 2021 9:41pm
Dear J,
Absolutely delightful! Clever, witty and entertaining. I would love to have cleared up a lot of fuzzy and misquoted comments not only from Einstein but a whole bunch people long since past. Best of luck and wonderful poem. H🌷
Absolutely delightful! Clever, witty and entertaining. I would love to have cleared up a lot of fuzzy and misquoted comments not only from Einstein but a whole bunch people long since past. Best of luck and wonderful poem. H🌷
30th Apr 2021 9:44pm
Thank you H again; glad it had entertainment value even if it didn't clear up any truths of "what was said" -- though the quotes in German that Veronika put on her drawings are authentic from Einstein's actual notes. RL much appreciated.
Lord. Winner winner chicken dinner for sure! I LOVE the animation of this too!
30th Apr 2021 9:46pm
Well I got to be a runner-upperer. I voted for Eerie's villanelle, definitely the best of the bunch on the day :)) RL 🙏
20th Apr 2021 8:43am
30th Apr 2021 9:48pm
Thank you LJ, and for the RL. Your comp was a good motivation to get back into villanelles. I've posted quite a few here over the years.
6th May 2021 11:07pm
Even before he passed in his sleep
(this isn't in form as I am not that deep)
I think its a couplet? (trying to be smart)
to get 3 credits for my DUP journey to start.
You're a my first follow, comment and like
I have great taste (and your face came up twice)
I love the topic, Einstien's a favourite of mine
I am schizophrenic and advocate for Mind*
His son suffered mental illness but it wasn't his fault
Other than that I take all his quotes with a good pinch of salt
I heard before passing peacefully 'alseep' in the bed
He muttered some words, apparently, in German they said
Those last words of the genius will never be known.
For he died in a hospital and not in his own home.
He spoke them in German, but the attending nurse
Did not speak German and so couldn't recall
Whatever they were or if he said anything at all.
Now I have commented on a man that is dead
I just want 1 credit ...so f*ck what he said.
(this isn't in form as I am not that deep)
I think its a couplet? (trying to be smart)
to get 3 credits for my DUP journey to start.
You're a my first follow, comment and like
I have great taste (and your face came up twice)
I love the topic, Einstien's a favourite of mine
I am schizophrenic and advocate for Mind*
His son suffered mental illness but it wasn't his fault
Other than that I take all his quotes with a good pinch of salt
I heard before passing peacefully 'alseep' in the bed
He muttered some words, apparently, in German they said
Those last words of the genius will never be known.
For he died in a hospital and not in his own home.
He spoke them in German, but the attending nurse
Did not speak German and so couldn't recall
Whatever they were or if he said anything at all.
Now I have commented on a man that is dead
I just want 1 credit ...so f*ck what he said.
7th May 2021 9:09pm
Many thanks for your comment in rhyme
with interesting facts about old Einstein
and welcome to DUP by the way
I hope you find it compelling -- and stay.
Best regards,
Josh.
with interesting facts about old Einstein
and welcome to DUP by the way
I hope you find it compelling -- and stay.
Best regards,
Josh.
21st May 2021 9:34pm
I always enjoy your deliveries on spoken word and how the villanelle form shapes the mood.
Outstanding work sir.
Outstanding work sir.
23rd May 2021 3:38pm
