deepundergroundpoetry.com
Woodsprite——————————~*
[villanelle/fantasy]
Whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day,
I came upon a sprite so wondrous faire …
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
Oh, how the air became so light and gay ...
each sunbeam glinting through her golden hair,
whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day.
'Twas once her hand brushed mine in gleeful play,
with tenderness and loving, gentle care ...
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
That instant...yes, my world began to sway;
I fell in-love with her right then and there,
whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day.
The atmosphere turned sweet with rose bouquet;
as symphonies of birdsong filled the air ~
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
Again a youth, my hair no longer grey ...
'tis truth I speak to you, I do declare:
Whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day,
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
"VILLANELLE"
The Villanelle is Italian (later French), feminine of villanello ‘rural', diminutive of villano ‘peasant'. A form of Italian part-song originating in Naples in the 16th century, in rustic style with a vigorous rhythm.
Each line ends in a rhyme, either A1" “a” "A2" or “b” with "A1" and "A2" rhymes repeated as refrains; each line is of the same syllable count, and that count is of the writer's choosing … I chose 10 syllables (5 poetic feet) in iambic pentameter, for a nice flow and even tempo; the lines are composed in five Tercets (3 line verses) and a concluding Quatrain (4 line verse), giving the Villanelle 19 total lines.
Thus, the end line rhymes and Refrain repetitions are as follows:
Verse 1: A1 b A2
Verse 2: a b A1
Verse 3: a b A2
Verse 4: a b A1
Verse 5: a b A2
Quatrain: a b A1 A2
One of the most noted examples of the Villanelle form is Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’, “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
Try this form, have fun and enjoy the challenge … the beauty in the end is well worth the effort, and you'll be a better, more accomplished poet.
Please, feel free to critique my work and/or offer anything you feel will help improve it! : )
Whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day,
I came upon a sprite so wondrous faire …
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
Oh, how the air became so light and gay ...
each sunbeam glinting through her golden hair,
whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day.
'Twas once her hand brushed mine in gleeful play,
with tenderness and loving, gentle care ...
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
That instant...yes, my world began to sway;
I fell in-love with her right then and there,
whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day.
The atmosphere turned sweet with rose bouquet;
as symphonies of birdsong filled the air ~
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
Again a youth, my hair no longer grey ...
'tis truth I speak to you, I do declare:
Whilst wand'ring through the woods one sunny day,
she danced ~ then, whirled and stole my heart away.
"VILLANELLE"
The Villanelle is Italian (later French), feminine of villanello ‘rural', diminutive of villano ‘peasant'. A form of Italian part-song originating in Naples in the 16th century, in rustic style with a vigorous rhythm.
Each line ends in a rhyme, either A1" “a” "A2" or “b” with "A1" and "A2" rhymes repeated as refrains; each line is of the same syllable count, and that count is of the writer's choosing … I chose 10 syllables (5 poetic feet) in iambic pentameter, for a nice flow and even tempo; the lines are composed in five Tercets (3 line verses) and a concluding Quatrain (4 line verse), giving the Villanelle 19 total lines.
Thus, the end line rhymes and Refrain repetitions are as follows:
Verse 1: A1 b A2
Verse 2: a b A1
Verse 3: a b A2
Verse 4: a b A1
Verse 5: a b A2
Quatrain: a b A1 A2
One of the most noted examples of the Villanelle form is Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’, “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
Try this form, have fun and enjoy the challenge … the beauty in the end is well worth the effort, and you'll be a better, more accomplished poet.
Please, feel free to critique my work and/or offer anything you feel will help improve it! : )
Published 21st Oct 2021
Author's Note
Artwork by Free Google Images.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 5
reading list entries 2
comments 11
reads 647
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
21st Oct 2021 6:13pm
21st Oct 2021 6:30pm
Thank you ever-so gratefully, Dear Poetess 🌾
Most humbly and gratefully for selecting one of my poems to read, and for your succinct, yet warmly-expressive, comment.
Hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃
Most humbly and gratefully for selecting one of my poems to read, and for your succinct, yet warmly-expressive, comment.
Hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃
Anonymous
- Edited 21st Oct 2021 7:01pm
21st Oct 2021 7:00pm
Dear Richard,
You make me feel like a fae myself! (albeit raven haired and side eye glancing, mischievous!! hee hee ) Dancing jovial, amidst the maypole ribbons and garlands adorned with baby's breath,varying lilies, roses so stunning, they could only be outdone by the sheer sweetness of their glorious scent..... permeating the twilight eve!! Flowers and dancing, as far as the eye could see..... music softy cascading.... wrapping tenderly in gorgeous tempo....and then spying, across the field, the pull of an unmistakable attraction... Ooooo!!
Ohhh how the imagination soars upon the wings of a masterful Villanelle and all its enchanting charms!!!
Please don't change a word.... I was captivated and brought to a magical place— exactly where your lovely poem could and did, inspire!!
Tremendous work!
🧚🏻🍃💞🌸🌷🌺🍃💞🧚🏻♀️
Much love, dear bard
🌹-S
You make me feel like a fae myself! (albeit raven haired and side eye glancing, mischievous!! hee hee ) Dancing jovial, amidst the maypole ribbons and garlands adorned with baby's breath,varying lilies, roses so stunning, they could only be outdone by the sheer sweetness of their glorious scent..... permeating the twilight eve!! Flowers and dancing, as far as the eye could see..... music softy cascading.... wrapping tenderly in gorgeous tempo....and then spying, across the field, the pull of an unmistakable attraction... Ooooo!!
Ohhh how the imagination soars upon the wings of a masterful Villanelle and all its enchanting charms!!!
Please don't change a word.... I was captivated and brought to a magical place— exactly where your lovely poem could and did, inspire!!
Tremendous work!
🧚🏻🍃💞🌸🌷🌺🍃💞🧚🏻♀️
Much love, dear bard
🌹-S
23rd Oct 2021 5:53pm
Goodness-ME, Lady Susan🍷
Shaky-kneed, I guess I didn't realize how extensively I've missed the effulgent blessings of your beautifully expressive words in thought, feeling, passion, and emotional fervor… sighhh* And, one thing is for certain … no one takes one's breath or embraces their hopeful, willing senses more warmly or effectively than You do.
Your vividly expressed metaphors and descriptives paint a virtually sumptuous garden of sheer, irresistibly alluring succulence into an increasingly susceptible bard's most sweet imaginings.
I'm guessing you enjoyed my Villanelle in some rather intriguingly wondrous ways, as I have your enthrallingly fetching review … I've never felt more loved or enjoyed. ; )
Your touch is a sensationally gentle stardust melody✨ ⁓ Richard 🍃
Shaky-kneed, I guess I didn't realize how extensively I've missed the effulgent blessings of your beautifully expressive words in thought, feeling, passion, and emotional fervor… sighhh* And, one thing is for certain … no one takes one's breath or embraces their hopeful, willing senses more warmly or effectively than You do.
Your vividly expressed metaphors and descriptives paint a virtually sumptuous garden of sheer, irresistibly alluring succulence into an increasingly susceptible bard's most sweet imaginings.
I'm guessing you enjoyed my Villanelle in some rather intriguingly wondrous ways, as I have your enthrallingly fetching review … I've never felt more loved or enjoyed. ; )
Your touch is a sensationally gentle stardust melody✨ ⁓ Richard 🍃
22nd Oct 2021 1:01pm
Yes Richard! This is certainly my kind of poem, so well done. You have chosen to compose in pentameter which is great. As you will be aware, 20th. C. villanelles favour this count. I do, though, enjoy the nineteenth C. style with 4 metric feet. I think Dylan Thomas is largely responsible for the renewed popularity of the villanelle. I will keep an eager eye on your gifts in the future.
Kind regards, Alan ps. Title is great for this piece.
Kind regards, Alan ps. Title is great for this piece.
23rd Oct 2021 5:26pm
Hi, Allen 🥂
I thank you most gratefully for selecting this Villanelle to read and comment on, and for receiving your positive approval of the composition and its title.
I, too, enjoy tetrameter over pentameter, as the longer meter (to me) tends to convey a less rhythmic beat. Of course, we both know sonnets demand iambic pentameter … a worthy challenge all its own, and may well have influenced the ten-counts in this piece.
To name a few: W. H. Auden, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney, David Shapiro, and Sylvia Plath all composed brilliant Villanelles.
In the vein of your shared thoughts: "According to the editors of a new Everyman’s Library collection of villanelles, “the importance of the villanelle has been sneaking up on the poetry world for decades.”
They explain its appeal: “The villanelle is one of the most fascinating and paradoxical of poetic forms, quirky and edgy … prone to moods of obsession and delight; structured through the marriage of repetition and surprise. No wonder it is currently enjoying such a powerful post-modern blossoming, out of long-growing premodernist roots.”
Contemporary poets are returning to the poetic structure, tossing aside reservations about artificial form, and embracing the spiraling evolution from obsession to acceptance that the villanelle provides.
On this site, in as much that very few compose in true classical form, it is a delightful surprise to come across your work … I feel so less conventional. : )
From the above commentary, it seems you've inspired me.
I'll soon return to enjoy more of your enchanting fare.
Thank you, again, Alan! ⁓ Richard🍃
I thank you most gratefully for selecting this Villanelle to read and comment on, and for receiving your positive approval of the composition and its title.
I, too, enjoy tetrameter over pentameter, as the longer meter (to me) tends to convey a less rhythmic beat. Of course, we both know sonnets demand iambic pentameter … a worthy challenge all its own, and may well have influenced the ten-counts in this piece.
To name a few: W. H. Auden, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney, David Shapiro, and Sylvia Plath all composed brilliant Villanelles.
In the vein of your shared thoughts: "According to the editors of a new Everyman’s Library collection of villanelles, “the importance of the villanelle has been sneaking up on the poetry world for decades.”
They explain its appeal: “The villanelle is one of the most fascinating and paradoxical of poetic forms, quirky and edgy … prone to moods of obsession and delight; structured through the marriage of repetition and surprise. No wonder it is currently enjoying such a powerful post-modern blossoming, out of long-growing premodernist roots.”
Contemporary poets are returning to the poetic structure, tossing aside reservations about artificial form, and embracing the spiraling evolution from obsession to acceptance that the villanelle provides.
On this site, in as much that very few compose in true classical form, it is a delightful surprise to come across your work … I feel so less conventional. : )
From the above commentary, it seems you've inspired me.
I'll soon return to enjoy more of your enchanting fare.
Thank you, again, Alan! ⁓ Richard🍃
9th Nov 2021 7:50pm
7th Feb 2022 3:17pm
Thank you, Remy, most appreciatively. 🍷
How gratifying it is to know my humble effort has inspired your creative thoughts, and that you like it is a smile in itself.
My best to you, Sir Poet! ⁓ Richard🖌
How gratifying it is to know my humble effort has inspired your creative thoughts, and that you like it is a smile in itself.
My best to you, Sir Poet! ⁓ Richard🖌
20th May 2022 9:55pm
lovely... makes me want to embark on a stroll in the woods on a sunny day, to woo and behold the fairies at play... I will dance with them.
11th Oct 2022 3:25pm
Thank you, Lovely Kitty✨Your words are so pretty✨
They make my fervor grow 'n show
in wondrous ways bestow
that we both like 'n know
how beautifully woodland strolls can go,
on a sunny day,
when a mortal and fairie play,
they savor 'n sate in every magickal way. 😏
Wispy warming hugs! ⁓ Richard 💫
They make my fervor grow 'n show
in wondrous ways bestow
that we both like 'n know
how beautifully woodland strolls can go,
on a sunny day,
when a mortal and fairie play,
they savor 'n sate in every magickal way. 😏
Wispy warming hugs! ⁓ Richard 💫
28th Sep 2022 5:17pm
Absolutely lovely Richard, your talent for the romantic is immense. You drew me into this scene and world. The fantasy of it and I love fairy mythology and all mythology. I often dreamed of such worlds growing up. I loved the forest and all the possibilities within it. All the things that people once thought roamed there and maybe they did, maybe they still do. At least in the minds of those who embrace the mysterious, the unknown, and the excitement of the world. I can see her stealing your heart and casting a spell, golden hair flowing like Autumn leaves. How you would visit her and she would feel you with love and passion. The mundane world becoming something of the past and the new possibilities becoming endless. Symphonies of birdsong to dance too. Becoming young again forever because when you are with her she will always make you feel that way. Just beautiful... Also using unique styles. I enjoyed learning more about the Villanelle. Thank you. :)
