villanelle!

So, after reading Stephen's villanelle, I decided to take a crack at it. It was a really weird way to write poetry for me because usually when I write, I have a phrase or a stanza that materializes and if I can't get it out of my head, I write it down and finish off the poem. My first attempt was rather weak. Initially, I found the rules restricting and had difficulty defining lines that I would be willing to incessantly repeat. I finished the poem but it was... not good. Frustrated with my failure, I decided to go for round two with the villain. My second poem was far better. After getting the feel for the form from the first try, I was able to use the rhyme scheme and line arrangement to stimulate creativity and ingenuity rather than limit it.

Finally, I wanted to write something I'd be willing to share on the blog. So the subsequent round three was a villanelle about the book. Not the aptest use of this style but interesting none the less...

He could not escape the flames
touch, taste, sight, sound, smell
devoured by guilt and shame.

Why couldn't they remember his name
he could hear the pounding of his own knell
he could not escape the flame.

Innocence falls away non servum desire untame
orgiastic riots of the mind he could not quell
devoured by guilt and shame.

Art stirred within him and their came
a change words rhythmic colored vibrant pastel
he could not escape the flame.

The aim became to gain fame and claim
access to heaven not hell
devoured by guilt and shame.

He tried to do good but all the same
the artist fell
under the prophetic name
devoured by guilt and shame.