Memoir Of A Wilting Flower--Villanelle

by Acoustic Odyssey   Apr 17, 2011


A fragile being strives to never fray
against those that prey upon the frail
to survive, where cold palms lay

Howls of blood lust from both sides at play
out-sing a mouth with no voice to wail
a fragile being strives to never fray

Rigged fingers direct bullets without delay
as silent prayers to the heavens prevail
to survive, where cold palms lay

Sky falls dark, clouds inhale powder and decay
one after another hearts fall cold and stale
a fragile being strives to never fray

All hopes and dreams forever blown away
the aftermath makes it hard to exhale,
to survive, where cold palms lay

All silenced, for none had anything else to say
except one blood-stained survivor of the tale
A fragile being strives to never fray
to survive, where cold palms lay

-A Villanelle is a nineteen-line poem consisting of a very specific rhyming scheme:
aba aba aba aba aba abaa.

The first and the third lines in the first stanza are repeated in alternating order throughout the
poem, and appear together in the last couplet (last two lines).

1


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by Em

    So after reading your 'destination 21' piece. I was rather curious about other pieces of your work because I like your style of writing and came across this one...

    Firstly, I would like to thank you for introducing me to this form and writing a footnote.

    Secondly, I really enjoyed he rhyming even though that's kind of the rules for the piece lol but what I mean is because you do it so smoothly and without forcing the rhymes out. I also, like the repetition because he message is repeated in a way that sticks like glue.

    Well done on yet another fab piece,
    Em

  • 13 years ago

    by Shellaine shelli

    Okay so first things first, WOW!!!! Theres some really talented writers on this site and its always wonderful to see the different styles, topics, images etc... that people use. Whilst this truly was such a sad piece the way you put the words together portrayed a beautiful tragedy. (the beauty coming through your choice of words)

    It was so discriptive and captivating from start to end. AMAZING job:)

  • 13 years ago

    by White Orchid

    This poem was amazing!! I loved the whole poem but also you made it a very touching poem and stuck to the type of poem you were writing, which seems to be a difficult format. I thought this was absolutely brilliant!! :)

  • 13 years ago

    by Cinnamonspice

    I love the form and you wrote it with a velvet flow. Your wording touched hands and complimented one another. Excellent work

  • 13 years ago

    by Kiko

    It's nice to see someone attempting a form here, and a Villanelle is one of the most difficult. Much of the language you use is very nice.

    Well done, poet!

More Poems By Acoustic Odyssey