Refrain Poems
Villanelles by Michael R. Burch
by Michael R. Burch
Villanelles by Michael R. Burch
These are villanelles by Michael R. Burch and related poetic forms with refrains, such as the rondel, roundel and rondeau.
Villanelle: The Divide
by Michael R. Burch
The sea was not salt the first tide...
......
O Best of All Nights, Return and Return Again
by James Laughlin
How she let her long hair down over her shoulders, making a love cave around her face. Return and return again.
How when the lamplight was lowered she pressed against him, twining her fingers in his. Return and return again.
How their legs swam together like dolphins and their toes played like little tunnies. Return and return again.
How she sat beside him cross-legged, telling him stories of her childhood. Return and return again.
How she closed her eyes when his were open, how they breathed together, breathing each other. Return and return again.
How they fell into slumber, their bodies curled together like two spoons. Return and return again.
How they went together to Otherwhere, the fairest land they had ever seen. Return and return again.
O best of all nights, return and return again.
What horror to awake at night
by Lorine Niedecker
What horror to awake at night
and in the dimness see the light.
Time is white
mosquitoes bite
I've spent my life on nothing.
The thought that stings. How are you, Nothing,
sitting around with Something's wife.
Buzz and burn
is all I learn
......
My bonny lass she smileth
by Thomas Morley
My bonny lass she smileth
When she my heart beguileth. Fa la.
Smile less, dear love, therefore,
And you shall love me more. Fa la.
When she her sweet eye turneth,
O how my heart doth burneth! Fa la.
Dear love, call in their light,
O else you burn me quite! Fa la.
Villanelles by Michael R. Burch
by Michael R. Burch
Villanelles by Michael R. Burch
These are villanelles by Michael R. Burch and related poetic forms with refrains, such as the rondel, roundel and rondeau.
Villanelle: The Divide
by Michael R. Burch
The sea was not salt the first tide...
......
My bonny lass she smileth
by Thomas Morley
My bonny lass she smileth
When she my heart beguileth. Fa la.
Smile less, dear love, therefore,
And you shall love me more. Fa la.
When she her sweet eye turneth,
O how my heart doth burneth! Fa la.
Dear love, call in their light,
O else you burn me quite! Fa la.
What horror to awake at night
by Lorine Niedecker
What horror to awake at night
and in the dimness see the light.
Time is white
mosquitoes bite
I've spent my life on nothing.
The thought that stings. How are you, Nothing,
sitting around with Something's wife.
Buzz and burn
is all I learn
......
O Best of All Nights, Return and Return Again
by James Laughlin
How she let her long hair down over her shoulders, making a love cave around her face. Return and return again.
How when the lamplight was lowered she pressed against him, twining her fingers in his. Return and return again.
How their legs swam together like dolphins and their toes played like little tunnies. Return and return again.
How she sat beside him cross-legged, telling him stories of her childhood. Return and return again.
How she closed her eyes when his were open, how they breathed together, breathing each other. Return and return again.
How they fell into slumber, their bodies curled together like two spoons. Return and return again.
How they went together to Otherwhere, the fairest land they had ever seen. Return and return again.
O best of all nights, return and return again.
