Villanelles and Quarterns

Napa, California

by: Stephanie Burkhart

Just recently, I learned several different forms of poetry. I thought I'd share a couple of my poems with you for poetry week.

A VILLANELLE

This is a French form of poetry called the Villanelle.

This is a 19 line poem with the following rhyming scheme: aba, aba, aba, aba, aba, abaa

The 1st and 3rd lines are repeated in alternating order and appear together in the last two lines.




THE VINES
The grapes grew wild and free.
He walked through the spiny vines,
Knowing the sun and soil were key.

The sunlight pierced the broad canopy.
He laid out his plan along careful lines.
The grapes grew wild and free.

The wind came, rattling the tree.
With deliberate precision, he placed his signs.
Knowing the sun and soil were key.

Frost brought his land to it's knees.
He blew heat on the readying vines.
The grapes grew wild and free.

Clouds covered the insects and bees.
He watched and waited in the lines.
Knowing the sun and soil were key.

The rain drove away the frost until he could see.
Round bulbs of fruit proved a hopeful sign.
The grapes grew wild and free,
Knowing the sun and soil were the key.

A QUARTERN

Wright Island Lighthouse
This is a French form of poetry similar to the Kyrielle. It's called a Quartern.

There are 16 lines, 4 quatrains.

A refrain is in a different line each quatrain. In the 1st quatrain it is in line 1, in the 2nd quatrain, it is in line 2. in the 3rd quatrain, it is in line 3, in the 4th quatrain, it is in line 4.

There are 8 syllables per line.

It does not follow a set rhyme scheme.


The Romance of Wright Island Light

Bright white beams pierced the dark night.
A humble fisherman came bold,
wanting a reprieve from the cold.
She took him in from the sea's sight.

A fire blazed in a warm room.
Bright white beams pierced the dark night.
A summer's gale whipped up fright.
The bricks stood the time under the moon.

Crack! Hiss! Pop! Cold flesh to shiver.
Arms entwined, seeking warmth, feeling right.
Bright white beams pierced the dark night.
Passion flamed in blissful rivers.

He had to leave by the light of dawn.
Sweet promises he gave to return.
She closed the door, heart beating tight.
Bright white beams pierced the dark night.