Finally, after quite the hiatus, I'm back with another villanelle! My apologies for the delay. But as I have said villanelles require a lot of thought and concentration, even for someone used to writing poetry, such as myself. So much concentration in fact that during this exploration I have had to alter my entire poem-writing process, which has remained essentially unchanged throughout my life. The results have been satisfactory to me, but they are quite time consuming to get started. (Though Nanowrimo, as well as the holidays have contributed somewhat to the delay this time I have to say.)
I had hoped to write at least ten villanelles during this exploration. That may still happen, if I put my nose more to the grindstone, but the grindstone is not the point of this poetry experiment. The point is to find out a few things about myself, my poetry, and to see what sort of forms speak to me most. While I enjoy the villanelle challenge quite a bit, I'm not sure that working on two more is in my best interest for this go around. I don't want it to become work, after all.
Then again, it is only two more, and I've taken a break from most other creative writing for the rest of the year. So who knows? Right now, not even I.
I do know, however, that it's time to post this most recent villanelle. It's hot off of the pencil. It didn't take the turn I thought it would when I first conceived the refrains, but I like the quaint, almost folksy eloquence of the poem.
*
I'll get to where I need to go.
I'll listen to what my heart will say.
I'll discover all I need to know.
Learning lessons from both friend and foe.
Preparing for tomorrow with today.
I'll get to where I need to go.
Often, what we reap is what we sew.
I shall begin to sew without delay.
I'll discover all I need to know.
Who am I to answer "no"
When destiny itself shows me the way?
I'll get to where I need to go.
Therefore, my worries I will stow.
I'll take this journey, come what may.
I'll discover all I need to know.
"Grant strength to creatures here below,"
To heaven every night I'll say.
I'll get to where I need to go.
And if the gods on me bestow
That single thing for which I pray,
I'll get to where I need to go.
I'll discover all I need to know.
