The Clearing (Villanelle)
It isn’t the dark of the woods I am fearing–
My eyes are accustomed to this tangled plight–
It’s what I might find in the clearing.
With each step, black velvet is disappearing
And moss sputters and dies under siege from gold blight
No, it isn’t the dark of the woods I am fearing…
See-the Devil sits there! And he’s taunting and sneering
Just waiting for me to come into the light
Oh, it’s what I might find in the clearing!
And yet… I keep walking, as though something is steering
Me forward, away from my worn path, despite
It isn’t the dark of the woods I am fearing.
But I’ve never been one for such pioneering!
Feet, I demand you stay tucked in the slipper of night!
Who knows what we’ll find in the clearing?
Oh, but the sun is aglow on my face as I’m nearing
The edge of the woods, where wildflowers ignite
No, this isn’t the dark of the woods I’ve been fearing…
I blow a dandelion wish in the clearing.
January 1st, 2010 |
Thanks CD:)
December 28th, 2009 |
This just rocks..this is the kind of writing that I love, where the lines play off each other and draws the reader in. Makes me wonder what the dandelion wish was.
December 17th, 2009 |
It’s not so bad out here, Summerrain:)
December 16th, 2009 |
I like this…I have long been known to be afraid of the dark…enjoyed reading the other side…smiles
December 9th, 2009 |
Silindile, you’re so kind, and I’m thrilled to see you again. Blessings.
December 9th, 2009 |
Don’t let it scare you, Charles…come back
It’s been a while….hope you are well!
December 9th, 2009 |
Hi there amigo…yes, we are well, just busy and overworked. I’m grateful to have this problem though, so can’t complain. I’ll be by soon for a much needed dose of bliss
December 9th, 2009 |
Hi Pamela! Glad you like it and feel inspired. Now you owe us a sestina AND a villanelle. No pressure, though
One of your recent poems is still haunting me, BTW….
December 9th, 2009 |
Thank you, Dumakey, and nice to meet you!
December 9th, 2009 |
Hi Bonnie
Ah, you’ll nail that cinquain, you’ll see. Then it will be another form that will torture you 
I owe you a visit too….been too long.
December 9th, 2009 |
Hey there Joseph my friend! THANK YOU. Yes, pioneering is a bit scary. Though I have to tell you I often think of your recent decision to leave the job in the city and dress down LOL, and feel inspired and much more courageous. Maybe it’s contagious:)
December 9th, 2009 |
DL–you’re back! How are you???
Thank you for your generous comments, all of them. I’m happy to see you again!
December 7th, 2009 |
Sometimes hiding can be safe, you find yourself fearing living and that’s not the way to spend your days… I’m loving this, your talent is amazing
December 7th, 2009 |
okay you moved on me. you are no longer at WordPress. This is kind of strange, I’m not used to this place.
December 6th, 2009 |
Hey. You know, reading this is a mirror. These words of Yours gift me courage today. I send You a huge hug and wishes that You and Yours are well. Thank You and Namaste.
December 6th, 2009 |
This is so fun – it makes me want to try a villanelle again. And the variety of emotions you portrayed are dead on. I can relate.
December 4th, 2009 |
Powerful and inspiring, great post. I enjoyed reading this a lot!
December 2nd, 2009 |
You’ve not only conquered self doubt but the villanelle as well. And I’m still working on a decent cinquain
Well done! Your writing continues to amaze.
December 2nd, 2009 |
I like how you’ve been taking this form and making it your own: clear messages and clever rhymes, elegant adaptation and splendid images. More more more! (Favorite line is defs: But I’ve never been one for such pioneering!)
December 2nd, 2009 |
Ah, this is amazing… Your imagery is delightful, and I specially enjoyed the progress. You reflected upon an oft trodden path… a journey undertaken by many, that is marred by self doubt and fear of the unknown, no less, the insecurity in leaving the “comfortable zone”…
Its been too long.. I haven’t had the chance to blog much, of late.. it sure feels great to visit again!
December 1st, 2009 |
Ohhhh…Poe? Now THAT is cool:) Thank you, Mark, smiling from ear to ear now:)
December 1st, 2009 |
Love that you love it, D!
December 1st, 2009 |
Rules, schmools, right???
Thanks Purple. This needs a little more work but what the heck, written at midnight and posted before thinking too much about it. Glad you liked it:)
December 1st, 2009 |
Thank you, Paul. Time to try one???
December 1st, 2009 |
Hey there Miss Bliss, thank you! Love that you were laughing and could understand. Thank YOU.
December 1st, 2009 |
Hi Yousei! Nice to “meet” you, and thank you for leaving a footprint here. I bet your villanelle only looks terrible to you. We are our own worst critics most of the time. I’ll be stopping by your place as well….
December 1st, 2009 |
Oh cool, not just me who is tired and deficient. I knew we clicked for a reason, Val
Thank you:)
December 1st, 2009 |
The last comment was from me and you would have seen that, if I weren’t tired, brain cell deficient and halfway out the door to work. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
December 1st, 2009 |
“Feet, I demand you stay tucked in the slipper of night”….Splendid, absolutely splendid. The last line was a happy surprise.
December 1st, 2009 |
I have a villanelle tucked away somewhere, and it’s terrible. Yours are great. I look forward to reading more. Congrats on your Blissbait award!
November 30th, 2009 |
Okay Most Beautiful Danielle!!! I literally gasped ‘OH MY GOD!!!’ outloud after Your first line!!!!!! I was enraptured through the rest and laughing and overjoyed because I KNOW THIS SOOOOOOOOOOOO WELL! Big hugs to You. WOW! SO COOL. Thank You and Cheers and Namaste.
November 30th, 2009 |
This is beautiful, Danielle.
I must admit I’ve never tried a villanelle.
November 30th, 2009 |
wonderfully written, both in story and in form. I like how you varied the lines just enough to keep them fresh as they repeated within the form. Also the variable line length appeals to me as well, simply because I am a rebel and detest following rules too strictly … very well done!
November 30th, 2009 |
ohhh.. it’s nice here
sorry for being away. you are now off my wordpress radar, i need to remember to come over
ohh. it is very nice here
i will try to drop by more often
love it now
November 30th, 2009 |
The villanelle is one of my favourite forms, it reads with such a graceful flow without being another sonnet set to iambic pentameter (blame Shakespeare!). The piece is great, perfect pace and a tone reminiscent of Poe’s ‘Raven’.
November 30th, 2009 |
Happy to help you learn something new today, Linda
It’s becoming one of my favorite forms. BTW–brave souls like you who venture into the unknown help all of us step into the clearing. Thank you:)
November 30th, 2009 |
Clear enough for two. Your turn!
November 30th, 2009 |
Ah, thanks Darc. I really like villanelles because they have that effect. Kind of stick with you like a nursery rhyme. And who knows about the book…I’m taking baby steps into that clearing right now.
But I appreciate your encouragement more than you know.
November 30th, 2009 |
Having a hand to hold definitely makes it easier to take those steps. Thanks, Falc:)
November 30th, 2009 |
First, I had to look up the definition of villanelle.
and now I’m duly impressed. I love this line: “Feet, I demand you stay tucked in the slipper of night!”
I’m happy you braved the clearing.
November 30th, 2009 |
Wow, I think this proves your path is clear. Beautiful work.
November 30th, 2009 |
Wow, D, that’s amazing. There’s a children’s story ring to this and yet it speaks in such adult terms. The cadence and rhythm are surprising and strong and flow along easy, too. Beautiful work.
So … when’s that book of poetry you’re writing coming out again?
November 30th, 2009 |
I know what you’ll find in the clearing. It isn’t scary, I promise. I’ll hold your hand and go with you if you’d like. *hugs*