Challenge
Write a Villanelle, My Genius Poets!
The villanelle is a French verse form consisting of five three-line stanzas and a final quatrain, with the first and third lines of the first stanza repeating alternately in the following stanzas. These two refrain lines from the final couplet in the quatrain. Here's what that looks like (letters for rhyme scheme, numbers mean a line repeats):
A1 B A2//A B A1//A B A2//A B A1//A B A1 A2
No theme, no prompt other than make it great.
For examples of villanelles, please enjoy:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44976/the-house-on-the-hill
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/150043/letter-to-my-blackout
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47536/one-art
26 reads
To My Younger Self
Days drag on but years fly by,
So please be kind to yourself, old friend.
Don't let them destroy you in your search for why.
I know every morning starts with an exasperated sigh,
But I promise great things are just around the bend.
Days drag on but years fly by.
I know it's not popular to be introverted and shy,
But your heart and passion will always be on-trend.
Don't let them destroy you in your search for why.
I know right now it feels impossible to try,
But your talents will be recognized and your heart will mend.
Days drag on but years fly by.
Just know that we'll be okay and your eyes will dry.
You'll no longer feel like every day is the end.
Days drag on but years fly by.
Don't let them destroy you in your search for why.