Woodsprite ⁓ (gentle fantasy)

Villanelle: One I selected for you from the archives.

                             1st Place Winner

                                                          

                    Blue Rose Villanelle Contest

Author's Note

"VILLANELLE"

The Villanelle is Italian (later French), feminine of villanello ‘rural', diminutive of villano ‘peasant'. A form of Italian part-song originating in Naples in the 16th century, in rustic style with a vigorous rhythm.
Each line ends in a rhyme, either "A1" “a” "A2" or “b” with "A1" and "A2" rhymes repeated as refrains; each line is of the same syllable count, and that count is of the writer's choosing … I chose 10 syllables (5 poetic feet) in iambic pentameter, for a nice flow and even tempo; the lines are composed in five Tercets (3 line verses) and a concluding Quatrain (4 line verse), giving the Villanelle 19 total lines.

A1 = Exact Repeat Refrains
a = End Line Rhymes with A1, A2, and all other a's
b = End Line Rhymes with all other b's
A2
 = Exact Repeat Refrains

Thus, the end line rhymes and Refrain repetitions are as follows:
Verse 1: A1 b A2

Verse 2: a b A1
Verse 3: a b A2
Verse 4: a b A1

Verse 5: a b A2

Quatrain: a b A1 A2

One of the most noted examples of the Villanelle form is Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’, “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
Try this form, have fun and enjoy the challenge … the beauty in the end is well worth the effort, and you'll be a better, more accomplished poet for it.

Please, feel free to critique my work, offering anything you feel will help improve it! ✍

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

Love the ending. Eternal youth. You are a wordsmith of a caliber I've never been shot with. I've been wounded by Poe. Grazed by Frost. And took a shotgun blast from Gorman. But you hit my bullseye here in the heart of my brain. Please do take aim again!!

[Richard🖌]

Thanks for reading me again, Bill 👍

Your compliment is certainly appreciated … glad this one was right on target for you.

Keep-on smiling! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Angelheart1]

Dear sir, you must be a very accomplished writer to have had this beautifully penned Villanelle tucked away in your archives! I do enjoy the words of fantasy within this light-hearted poem which brought a smile to my face.

Your words allowed this reader to join you in the excitement of the moment while traipsing through the woods with the little Woodsprite. Thank you for allowing me to read this piece from your archives and I look forward to reading more. Angel

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Dear Poetess!
Your words of praise and appreciation for my little efforts make me feel as though a beautiful spite danced along and discovered this poem carved magically into a tree.
Yes, I was sure you were right there, and Angel by my side, every step along the way!
The smile is upon my lips, too, from the joy placed there by You … my warmest, most grateful hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Richard🖌]

LOL! a beautiful "sprite" of course! ; )

[Angelheart1]

Of course - and it's a great pleasure to read your words and I enjoyed our little walk together. Angel🌹

[Richard🖌]

I was a wondrously pleasurable delight⁓✨

[Matching Socks]

This is delightful. A very charming piece Richard. :)

[Richard🖌]

Many thanks, Ana, for reading it, and for your lovely, encouraging praise! ⁓ Richard

[Norman 223]

I enjoyed this well crafted villanelle. It reads easily. as you have moulded the repeated lines so smoothly into the storyline.- no mean feat with this poetic form. Best of luck with the contest.

Norman

[Richard🖌]

Dear Norman,
Your words of sheer delight, appreciation, and enjoyment truly are a blessing to an olde bard's hopeful ears.
Thank you so very sincerely for such inspiring praise and for the good luck wishes.
My very best to you, My Fine Friend! ⁓ Richard

[J. J. Nightingale]

You know I can't stand FORM..lol Please forgive simple me !
But... this was a sheer delight ...

Love the pic too....:)

JAZZY

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so much, M'Lovely Lady!
How very wonderful of you to make an exception to your disdain for poetry in form, that you might find favor enough to enjoy and delight in this sweet work of gentle fantasy with me.
It is always a warming pleasure to know I've presented anything you love and delight in, Jasmine.
Your praise makes my little efforts feel so worthwhile and appreciated … warmest hugs to you! ⁓ Richard

[J. J. Nightingale]

Hugs back at you..... I did enjoy this one !!! :)..... You are welcome !!....Jazz

[Lorraine Montez]

The Villanelle is not an easy style to write in. You did so beautifully, with sculpted and artful construction. Yours looks to have had considerable skill applied in crafting it, though it flows effortlessly to read. The threads of magic and longing were easily woven into the fabric of the forest setting. And your presentation is quite professional, from the size and fitting style of the font, to the stylistic placement of your words on the page. The illustration is especially delightful! It captures a credible feel of the nymph I imagine you met, though you haven't specifically described her. A cheerful, fluid piece filled with innocence and whimsy. Just lovely! Was my pleasure to come across it. -Lorraine

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lorriane! : )
It makes me so very happy you've chosen this little imaginative fantasy of a poem to read and review.
Your expressed enjoyment, appreciation, and praise of my humble efforts certainly makes writing and sharing feel all the more worthwhile, greatly gratifying, and pleases me no end.
Your words are so beautiful, I love them more than the poem, itself … sooo warming and endearing to receive.
I'm glad you are here … thank you sincerely, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard

[Lorraine Montez]

Ah, high honor bestowed! I've never actually been proclaimed "Dear Poetess" before! I like it ;}read moreAh, high honor bestowed! I've never actually been proclaimed "Dear Poetess" before! I like it ;}
Your piece was really incredible, and I am certain that my meager comments do not compare, but thank you. You are quite generous...and talented. Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Richard. Thank you for the warm welcome.

[Richard🖌]

You pleasure a bard so nicely.

[barleygirl]

You do a good job of using whimsical fairy-like language & structure, which reflects the subject at hand, a little woodsprite. I'm not even familiar with the idea of a sprite, so this is fresh & imaginative to me. As I've come to notice about most of your writing, things are gently stated, but with clarity. Nothing jarring or straightforward here. Normally, I avoid reading villanelles becuz I'm not too keen on reading repeated lines in poetry. Most of the time, repeated lines just feel like "filler" to me. Or simply being repeated becuz that's the rules. I'm happy to note here, however, that your repeating lines actually feel like they belong & add to the message, a distinctly pleasant surprise. Thanks for sharing.

[Richard🖌]

My-MY, Margie!
What have I done to deserve such a sweetly-stirring review of sheer delight from one of my all-time favorite poetesses? I don't know, but I sure hope I can keep it up! ; )
You seem to be stepping beyond your usual poetical boundaries, actually enjoying a few of my pieces; how sincerely gratifying and inspiring the feelings are … I love it!
That which you've emphasized about the Villanelle form, I definitely understand and agree with, as it requires a certain degree of care and patience to compose in this form without creating a redundant feeling … that you think mine avoids that pitfall is wondrous praise, indeed!
How very-very happy I am you found favor in this piece of original poetical whimsey.
Thank you ever-so warmly, Dear Margie … you're the absolute best! ⁓ Richard

[barleygirl]

Don't worry about "keeping it up" . . . at our age, we seize the moments when we can *heh! heh! heh!*

[Richard🖌]

"Grin!"
You're so naughty … I hope you never change! ; )

[Beccy]

Sometimes, form and a too strict adherence to the disciple can overshadow the heart and soul of the poetry; not so in this case.

There is a classic feel to this quite delightful poem and I very much enjoyed the read.

Beccy.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Beccy!
It is wonderful of you to select this lovely poem of whimsical romanticism to read and review … I am so very happy you did.
I think your comments are quite true of (so-called) structured poetry, and regardless the adherence to rules, one must never leave a contrived feel to this genre of composing; nor, fail to blend into their words the natural flow and nuances of genuine emotion a reader can relate to and actually feel. These are the real challenges of composing in structured form, and that which requires the greater skills to master, but once having done so the poet will be that much better equipped to compose in any mode, style, and form of poetry … even the Free Verse and Free Style forms.
Ach! I could talk poetry 'til your eyes grow weary, and a such an intelligent, meaningful review as yours most certainly inspires me. : )
Your delightful praise and expressed enjoyment of this piece bade my heart smile and dance with contentment and joy … thank you warmly and sincerely, Beccy! ⁓ Richard

[Vatsal Rohilla (account..]

A very good read, sir. Wonderful imagery and lovable repetition. I felt as if I am seeing everything happen in front of me. Good, vivid descriptions and good use of archaic words. Alliteration is superb and so is the form- Villanelle. Well written. I am honoured.

[Richard🖌]

Well, Vatsal,
You may, indeed, be "honoured", but no more-so than I am by the generous praise, understanding, and appreciation your words have expressed for this lovely piece of romantically whimsical fantasy.
Thank you, too, My Friend, for the great compliment on this marvelous poetic form.
Keep thee well and your pen writing passionately! ⁓ Richard

[Vatsal Rohilla (account shifted)]

It is a pleasure to review your poems, sir.

[Helen Crutchett]

Blimey Richard, you should be judicating this contest! You are far more competent in "Form" than me!

Thank you for explaining the Villanelle.....it is extremely helpful and I do hope the poets will have a go at this.

I absolutely loved "Wood-Sprite".....a delightful, lighthearted romp through a beautiful fantasy!

Thanks again! ~ Helena ~

[Richard🖌]

Goodness-ME, Helena!
Ya know? You really do know how to make a bard's heart dance with happy gratitude, from such accolades and deeply welcomed warmth.
I've read your poetry, M'Lady, and I can assure you I'm not one whit more accomplished than you … not on any level, but you surely send thrills through my senses, telling me you think so. ; )
Thank you, Dear Helena, for loving anything about my poetry.
My warmest hug to You! ⁓ Richard

[Helen Crutchett]

Smiling here!! :) :) Thank you!

******Helena*****