Easy as Iambic Pie

I find the Villonnet is not so hard,
especially if there is just one rhyme.
Iambics, though, are quite a different breed
requiring a special kind of bard.

I do not mean to play a stilted card—
for some consider ridged forms passé.
For me it’s natural; perhaps that’s why
I find the Villonnet is not so hard.

I’ve found it true that this is no canard:
some poets never get the hang of it.
Though try they might, they find that it’s a form
requiring a special kind of bard.

I find the Villonnet is not so hard,
though many disagree. It is a style
requiring a special kind of bard.

© D. Allen Jenkins

Villonnet

The Villonnet is a 15-line hybrid form derived from the classic Villanelle and Sonnet forms. It is, to the best of my knowledge, the creation of my own hand (which may or may not improve its value). It borrows from the Sonnet its iambic pentameter and general stanza structure, and from the Villanelle its rhyme scheme and repetition elements. 

The form, in its original state, has 15 lines, divided into four stanzas. The first three stanzas are quatrains ^{(from Sonnet)} the last is a tercet ^{(from Villanelle)}. The rhyme scheme proper is

A₁ b b A₂
a c c A₁
a d d A₂ 
A₁ e A₂   ^{(from Villanelle)}

As you can see, the last line of the second stanza (S2L4) is a repeat of the first line of the poem (S1L1), and the last line of the third stanza (S3L4) is a duplication of the last line of the first stanza (S1L4). These are both repeated in the first and third lines of the closing tercet (S4L1,3)

From the examples below, you will see that you can use the form in a whimsical manner or a serious one, and you can even play with the rhyme scheme to mimic the sonnet even more. 

There is no reason to limit the type of scheme; even eliminate it altogether, as in blank verse. You will find the examples to be an evolving experience, showing slight variations to the rhyme schemes and structures of the pieces. 

The challenge is to use the repetition effectively within its succinct framework. After all, six of the fifteen lines are the same, leaving only eleven with which to tell the rest of the story.

Have fun, Doug

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Villonnet Examples:


Truth of Lies 
^{a Villonnet} ~ with only A/a & b rhymes 

I’ve yet to meet a lie that didn’t smile
while pleading with my ignorance’s trust;
indeed, if truth be told, it is a must,
in order to conceal the tongue of guile.

Prevarication is a gastric bile
erupting from the bowels of selfish lust;
and thus, to masquerade as something just,
I’ve yet to meet a lie that didn’t smile.

Disinformation cannot put a mile
between itself and what its victim trusts;
it seeks to be a breeze and not a gust
in order to conceal the tongue of guile. 

I’ve yet to meet a lie that didn’t smile;
canards portray as gold what’s really rust
in order to conceal the tongue of guile. 

© D. Allen Jenkins

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American Express(ion of faith)
^{a Villonnet ~ without b c d rhyme} 

I often use American Express—
especially if ordering Chinese, 
and I am in a hurry to check out;
convenience is a god that I confess

I’ll call upon when under high duress.
So many things within my day are slow 
to come about, and so to bring some haste,
I often use American Express

which expedites the matter, more or less,
to meet my expectations and desires.
And thus, I must again to you confirm
convenience is a god that I confess.

I often use American Express
and will affirm this article of faith:
Convenience is a god- that I confess.

© D. Allen Jenkins

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1274554721
(In Memorial)  
^{a Villonnet} ~ without b c d rhyme

I have no sense of what this day must mean
for those who long ago endured the pain
of tyranny, and yet survived to tell
this younger generation of the scenes

their youthful minds have never known, or seen,
or yet conceived, except through celluloid
of black and white; my heart can only sigh—
I have no sense of what this day must mean.

Remember this we must! lest we be weaned 
from history’s sour milk, and start to feign 
the lie as truth. Do not forsake to teach
this younger generation of the scenes. 

I have no sense of what this day must mean
to those whose fleshy numbers still remind
this younger generation of the scenes.

© D. Allen Jenkins

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Time lost is never found again. - Ben Franklin

Momentary Lapses 
^{[b]a Villonnet} ~ 16 lines, with extra e-line rhyme 
 
As moments vanish, never to return, 
does their demise produce a hint of tears— 
or do we think the balance of our years 
outweighs the minute instances we spurn? 
 
In youth, we seldom find the cause to yearn 
for hours lost to playful ignorance— 
but autumn often steals a second glance 
as moments vanish, never to return. 
 
There’s wisdom in the soul which early learns 
that opportunity’s a fruitful friend—
but does its value, can its dividends, 
outweigh the minute instances we spurn? 
 
As moments vanish, never to return, 
our desperation seeks for wisdom’s gate 
to see if reconciliation’s fate 
outweighs the minute instances we spurn. 
 
© D. Allen Jenkins

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Shadow Colors
^{a Villonnet} ~ without b c d rhyme 
 
The cross of black and white is more than gray-
for in between is where we find line's worth
concealed behind the understandable,
beneath the shadows cast on sunny days,
where weaker minds would seldom dare foray 
for fear of finding something hidden there
that might compel their thinking to conclude
the cross of black and white is more than gray.

And so they smile while going on their way-
denying any venture from the path;
precluding the discovery of peace
beneath the shadows cast on sunny days. 

The cross of black and white is more than gray,
and hearts of courage often find their rest
beneath the shadows cast on sunny days.

© D. Allen Jenkins