Stream

There is a willow grows aslant the brook,
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;
There with fantastic garlands did she come.

 

How insane lovers’ words spoken in romance
when in those stolen moments on our own,
I would drown in the beauty of his glance.

My brother warned me it was just a trance,
my virtue would be sullied about town. 
How insane these words spoken in romance.

My sweetheart thought I only lived to dance
then later with his head laid in my gown,
I would drown in the beauty of his glance.

My love mocked how my father used to prance.
Do nuns sing sowing gardens all alone?
How insane these words spoken in romance.

Rosemary, how bitter sweet the fragrance,
when lovers, like old willows, tumble down.
I would drown in the beauty of his glance.

See now how white blossom begins to dance
so tender these water weeds have grown.
How insane these words spoken in romance.
I would drown in the beauty of his glance.

Reviews

[Emily B]

Oh, my! The story of young love. Does it ever really change through the ages? 2007 is really not much different than 1907 or 1807. Your words are beautiful and I look at the rhyme scheme and I am just floored that had to be a difficult form to complete. And then you excelled at it. This is so beautiful.

[Sel Whiteley]

Wow, a villanielle from Orphelia's perspective. There's something about the old-style form that really brings her medieval character to life. I like especailly the vivid details in the lines:

Do nuns sing sowing gardens all alone?
How insane these words spoken in romance.

Rosemary, how bitter sweet the fragrance,
when lovers, like old willows, tumble down.

A beautiful poem.