Thursday, November 16, 2006

Villanelle: Constraints of Form

Constraints of Form

I’m tired of villanelles. I want free verse.
These strictures would no doubt make Whitman cry.
I know he cried when he saw Lincoln’s hearse.

Expansiveness, that’s it. Throw off the curse
Of formalism before you mummify.
I’m tired of villanelles. I want free verse.

The villanelle renders my poetry terse
And unfit for a Whitman lullaby.
I know he cried when he saw Lincoln’s hearse.

Everything I say I must rehearse.
I think I’ve lost all spontaneity.
I’m tired of villanelles. I want free verse.

Whitman worked as a Civil War nurse.
He saw the bloody bodies piled high.
I know he cried when he saw Lincoln’s hearse.

Why can’t I cry? Has form emptied my purse?
I want to rip it off like a necktie.
I’m tired of villanelles. I want free verse.
I know Walt cried when he saw Lincoln’s hearse.



At 1.5 Kilorats,

CE

4 comments:

  1. Then why not torture yourself with one last one? Oh wait .. you just did that, huh? Nevermind. -blue

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  2. I'm committed for November. In December I plan to switch to pantoums. Today was just an uninspired day where I leaned on Whitman, the first free verse poet in any language, I think.

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  3. So, in what month will you be doing free verse?! You know, this might be a good pattern for aspiring poets to follow. It would develop discipline I suppose, although I am afraid it would drive me bonkers trying to write something new in the same form everyday for a month. I admire your perseverance.

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  4. actually, i was just thinking how good villywatsits can be, you certainly get more lines for your words, and they look like 'real' poems...(most of mine don't)

    damn, i'm gonna have to look up pantoums now, as i have no idea what they are either.

    and this isn't bad if it's just a quick chucked together offering :)

    ReplyDelete

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