I'm Warning You

My first attempt at a ballade turns out to be the ballade of an arrogant narcissist. Thanks, Richard, for challenging me yet again.

Do not my arrogance allow,

for I am stubborn as a mule,

which is more stubborn than a cow;

therefore, unbridled, I am cruel.

You must not leave me room to rule;

for your own good, my love, resist,

or I may use you as a tool.

Too bad, your love will not be missed.

For your own good, no why or how,

you must not swim in fetid pool.

Leave waters dark and do not bow

to one who takes you for a fool.

I'm warning you; I am your school.

Remember when at first we kissed?

The playground kids thought we were cool.

Too bad, your love will not be missed.

If I were you, I'd leave me now.

Today, in truth, my mind is stool.

My dearest, lovely German frau,

you're better off behind your tulle,

for fear I'll see you as a ghoul,

because if I get really pissed,

one could unravel like a spool.

Too bad, your love will not be missed.

If I'm the fire, you're the fuel.

My love, get ready to be dissed.

For you, no presents at this yule.

Too bad, your love will not be missed.

Reviews

[Woody]

I plead ignorance as to the various poetic forms you keep attempting, Roland but that doesn't make my reading your poems any less enjoyable. you're a damn good student/poet, my friend.
love this one. you have a stellar sense of humour.
and you know, of course, that I'm partial to rhyming pieces.

[Chris Shaw]

Quite an accomplished write. Quite a warning too. I found some humour in this piece and the warning gives it honesty :) I do like the ballade format, it is so lyrical. Reads so well.

Chris

[APOORVA]

this is strong straight and powerful

[Blossom]

Roland is trying ballad, Suzy is smiling, and I’m giggling! I’m really amused by your ingenuity here; quite an interesting piece, and a bonus for the rhyme. Neither that, nor the envoi seems forced.
‘If I were you, I’d leave me know’ is so good!
A question regarding punctuation of ‘I’m warning you; I’m your school’.
Although the semicolon is perfect, I was wondering if ‘I’m your school’ is the warning and if it is, wouldn’t you use a colon?
And yes, your ballad will be missed!

[Roland Petrov]

Not ballad, my dear: ballade. It's the difference between Mrs Bucket and Mrs Bouquet. I think you might be right about my colon....

[Blossom]

I missed an 'e' there! hahah. Mrs. Bucket and Mrs. Bouquet;-)

[mattavelli]

I like it, Roland. This one is a tuff form just to get started. I waited a week before starting mine and came up with a similar theme. Are our inner beasts surfacing?

[Roland Petrov]

This is obviously what the ballade does with novices!

[Suzy Hazelwood]

It's the unravelling like a spool that got me smiling, but on the other hand...it's truth, it often does unravel, pissed or not!! ;o) Enjoyed reading this Roland, quite different from many of your others works, and the rhyme ignited a like, even though there is no like on here!

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks, Suzy! Richard got me to write a Ballade, and this evil character emerged. I wrote another ballade today, about a beautiful and exuberant day tinged with depression. I think the meter might be off, but I'll probably post it tomorrow and let Richard be the judge of that.

[Richard🖌]

Quite inventive, Roland, to build your Traditional Ballade on the antics of an egotistical lout.
I cannot help wondering how many of us can relate to this self-centered character from one time or another … I know I've been guilty, and I am not proud of it.
I'd say you've epitomized this individual perfectly, even though you resorted to a coupl'a near/slant-rhymes to do it (cruel, fuel), and in L4 consider replacing "I am" with "I'm" to address the long count, thereby.
An excellent first effort, My Friend, that truly pleases and fulfills my enjoyment … a couple more of these and you'll have it down to a tee, eh? 😜

Thank you for following along in learning this, your new form, and for putting forth the effort and diligence in making it a correct and entertaining piece … I love it, and can barely wait to see what Matt does with his! ⁓ Richard

[Roland Petrov]

Yes, I'd love to see what Matt does too. Not sure what you mean by long count nor near/slant rhymes, so I'd appreciate a little lesson on those if you don't mind. A bushel of thanks, my friend, for making my time on this site so special and entertaining.

[Richard🖌]

Long count = too many syllables
Near/slant rhymes = inexact rhymes
Your bushel of thanks accepted, and a barrel back atcha!