Valentine villanelle in late July

July 29, 2010 · 6 comments

Quarter of a million words
In any dictionary here
Three that you sometimes heard
In your city of birds
Larks and doves of song, fear
Quarter of a million words
The first, the second, the third—
Words we held like cards, my dear
Three that I sometimes heard
I recall it all: red dog, furred,
Flannel warmth, listening ear
Quarter of a million words
Were those three too soft, too slurred?
Too infrequent? Sweet, but sheer?
Three that we sometimes heard
I would give my heart: one word
To heal, to mend. One: strong, clear.
Quarter of a million words
Three that we sometimes heard

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jane July 29, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Beautiful! I read it several times. Darn, wish I could write like that! :)

2 Lori July 29, 2010 at 11:41 pm

So beautiful and profound.

3 Kelly S. July 30, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Oh. Very lovely.

4 shadymama July 31, 2010 at 8:08 am

“Were those three too soft, too slurred?
Too infrequent? Sweet, but sheer?
Three that we sometimes heard
I would give my heart: one word
To heal, to mend. One: strong, clear.”

that rhythm will have me swaying all day.

5 roo July 31, 2010 at 4:25 pm

It’s hard to find a good villanelle these days. Thank you.

6 NinaMelissa August 2, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Sweetie, you are gifted in a way that takes my breath. So lovely. Thank you for sharing.

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