MADD (villanelle)

by Larry Chamberlin   May 24, 2016


Oh, god, I am still alive
think of the people I killed
never again will I drive

It's no mercy to survive
my life's not mine to rebuild
oh, god, I am still alive

There was no rush to arrive
we could have stayed home and chilled
never again will I drive

One was just a child of five
her life on the road I spilled
oh, god, I am still alive

Won't matter how hard I strive
innocent voices I've stilled
never again will I drive

I'll never pretend to thrive
forever pain is instilled
oh, god, I am still alive
never again will I drive

[The villanelle is comprised of nineteen lines (preferably in iambic pentameter) adhering to very particular structure and rhyme scheme: five stanzas of three lines followed by a stanza of four lines. The first and third line of the first stanza are each repeated three more times throughout the poem in set locations.]
[Note: the poem is purely inspired by a news story, not personal experience]

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Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    I like this form-villanelle and as hard as I've tried it just does not come out well. So I admire those who accomplish this with ease and elegance.

    The topic you have chosen for this form is one that is seen and heard day in and day out. It kills to see an innocent live cut short and no amount of remorse, despair and hatred felt by the driver can amount to the pain of a parent loosing his/her child.

    Touching write...

  • 8 years ago

    by Hellon

    Such a sad topic to write about Larry...even if it was not a personal experience, these news reports about unnecessary death on our roads always upset me and..regardless of the remorse felt by the driver those precious lives are gone forever....sad write yes, but written with compassion....

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