Villanelles and Terzanelles

I haven't, but I might. And for anyone else interested... A villanelle has six stanzas: the first five have three lines each, and the last stanza has four lines. The first stanza sets the pattern for the ones that follow, because the first line and the third line are repeated in the rest of the poem: the second stanza ends with the first line, the third stanza ends with the third line, the fourth stanza ends with the first line, and the fifth stanza ends with the third line. The poem ends with a repetition of both lines. The repeated lines rhyme. The first line of each stanza rhymes with the repeated lines. The middle lines of each stanza all rhyme with each other. Reading that is confusing, so here's a chart: first repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B second repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B first repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B second repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B first repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B second repeated line, rhyme A new line, rhyme A new line, rhyme B first repeated line, rhyme A second repeated line, rhyme A All this repetition means that the villanelle is a very compact, concentrated kind of poem. It has to focus on a single subject (described or commented on by the two repeating lines) and yet it has to have four distinct aspects of the subject to look at--or four examples to describe-or four statements to make--or four images to present--in the four middle stanzas. The repeated lines have to be worth reading four times; often, these lines mean something a little different each time you read them--something is added to their meaning each time. If you are reading a villanelle, try to put into words how the stanzas develop the idea(s) of the repeated lines.

I always knew there was a good reason why I don't 'do' poetry...

My sentiments exactly. When you write prose, you get to the end then stop. If you worry that Eric might read it, you check the apostrophes. That's it. I wonder if there is scope for a poet-help tv show - can't scan, won't scan ?

I find all this talk of Villainelles and Tarzanelles a bit confusing although I have read a bit about the Dardenelles and I found that very interesting!

A terzanelle is a modified villanelle. It uses the terza rima's interlocking rhyme pattern, but has the villanelle's form of five triplets and a quatrain. The middle line of the first stanza becomes the third line of the next stanza, and so on, and so on. Confused? They are easier (in my humble opinion) than a villanelle. What do you think?

What the elles it all about, Alfie?

In Liverpool, a villanelle is a female gangster.

In Birmingham, Villa Nil is the local footy team

Lisa, I've written a fair few Villanelles (a couple of them are posted on this site), and I don't know if this helps but... I write them as an exercise in concentrating my mind. The subject matter is generally from the same areas as my free verse, but Villanelles force me to really think about the words I'll use. Villanelles stop me being lazy. However, it's incredibly hit and miss. For every four or five, I'll maybe be happy with one. But when that one feels right, it's a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. Don't be discouraged, Villanelles are definitely the most difficult of all the forms I've attempted, but if you perservere, they do get easier (but only slightly!) PS: I can't find 'Tangerine Laundry' on the poetry search - is it posted?

Thanks Simon. Here is a link to Tangerine Laundry. It is in my set called Continuations. Hope this helps. Thanks for the advice! ;o) http://www.abctales.com/abcplex/viewStory.cgi?s=7569

YES! I try to write "formed poetry" ALL the time. You can check out my ABC called "Formed Poetry"... it's under my member name: "aforbing" I am also listed on WrittenByMe.com with that same member ID. Feel free to look over my recent Villanelles, Haiku, Tankas, and cinquains. Also, as a reference... you may want to visit: http://shadowpoetry.com They have a section called "Types of Poetry" which gives definitions and examples of ALL types of different poetry. You might find this section to be a VERY helpful resource. Cheers, Andrea (aka "Faline" the pissed off poet) -->>Visit my website HOTPOP (home of the pissed off poet) http://greg-n-andrea.com