Poetry Prompt #70 - The Villanelle

The French brought the villanelle into literary form during the late 1500s (a fragment by Jean Passerat (1534-1602) is one of the earliest known examples). Before Passerat's time, the villanelle existed in Italy as the villanella – an Italian folk song with accompanying dance. 

Although the “rules” may seem complicated at first, villanelle form is an interesting, and perhaps entertaining, challenge for the poet. It requires a special kind of concentration, as well as careful attention to the details of structure. Yes, you guessed it: this week's prompt is to write a villanelle.

A villanelle has 19 lines and uses repeated rhymes (which means that, despite a certain obsessive quality, villanelles have wonderful sonic impression when read aloud). The 19 lines are organized into six stanzas: the first five stanzas have three lines, and the last has four lines. The rhyme pattern is aba for the first five stanzas and abaa for the last. 

A villanelle only uses two rhymes, while also repeating two lines (refrains) throughout the poem.  The 1st, then the 3rd lines alternate as the last lines of stanzas 2, 3, and 4, and then stanza 5 (“dismount”) as a couplet. Admittedly, it sounds confusing, but it really isn't once you begin.

The form according to Turco:

A1  (refrain)
b
A2 (refrain)

a
b
A1 (refrain)

a
b
A2 (refrain)

a
b
A1 (refrain)

a
b
A2 (refrain)

a
b
A1
A2 (refrain)

The most famous villanelle is Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night." To begin, take a close look at the Dylan Thomas poem (note the boldface and italics to highlight rhyme and repetition). Then read the additional examples. Study format as a “template” for your own villanelle. Choose end-words that have several, strong rhymes. Don't be afraid to experiment. 

Do not Go Gentle Into That Good Night 

by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Additional Examples:

"One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop

"Villanelle for an Anniversary" by Seamus Heaney

"The Nuns of Childhood: Two Views" by Maxine Kumin

"Villanelle" by W. H. Auden

"On A Line from Valery" by Carolyn Kizer