This one is an experiment with a poetic form called the 'Villanelle'. A villanelle is a somewhat complex poem structure characterized by only two rhyme sounds, refrains that alternate as the third line of each successive stanza, and a total of nineteen lines across six stanzas.
For the longest time, I used to read the word 'Villanelle' incorrectly as 'Villainelle' (what can I say, blame my dyslexia). To make up for my disappointment at discovering my error, I decided it was time someone wrote a real 'Villain-elle'. Here it is:
For the longest time, I used to read the word 'Villanelle' incorrectly as 'Villainelle' (what can I say, blame my dyslexia). To make up for my disappointment at discovering my error, I decided it was time someone wrote a real 'Villain-elle'. Here it is:
CURSES: A Villain-elle
By Vikram Madan
I scheme and plot and plan in vain.
Once more I gnash my teeth and sigh:
And curses, I've been foiled again!
My dream is simple, sweet and plain
To rule this world from sea to sky
I scheme and plot and plan (in vain!)
What use my I.Q., my big brain
When fate just scoffs and pokes my eye
And curses! - I've been foiled again!
My death-star, robots, spider-rain,
My dino-clones … all gone, while I,
I scheme and plot and plan in vain
For no soon have I made some gain
When up pops up some super-guy
- And curses, I've been foiled again!
I'll NEVER give up my campaign
One day I'll win and no more cry:
I scheme and plot and plan in vain,
And curses, I've been foiled again!
Text and Illustration Copyright © 2012 Vikram MadanFor more Villanelle fun, here are two of the more famous Villanelles in english poetry:
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
- One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
I love villanelles! This villainous one is much fun. Thanks for sharing (and of course, your wonderful art!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Robyn. Glad you liked it :)
DeleteI like the VILLAINelle! Very creative. I usually don't like overly "structured" poetry for kids, because I find that the chosen form rarely matches the subject matter; but in this case, it works. Villanelles in particular are challenging (I've never written one myself), because I feel that the refrains demand either an active "story" poem or a main character bound to a community or purpose in some way. Yours has a bit of both, and I think you pull it off pretty well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed. I can heartily concur that this is a very challenging form. You should have seen all the half-written versions I had to throw away before I could beat this into shape. Though at the end of it felt like all the beating had happened to me. :)
DeleteExcellent, Vikram--I love villanelles, though I've only written a few. They're quite challenging. This would be a great in the classroom as kids study point of view in their writing or the concept of antagonists. Fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. I read somewhere once that "every villain is the hero in their own story". I think that would feed well into any student study of protagonists and antagonists.
DeleteHilarious. I love the idea of a villain-elle. I especially like the repeated line-- "I scheme and plot and plan in vain."
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz. The word 'vain' has 3 meanings [1. excessively proud; 2. unsuccessful 3. empty of substance] - not sure how well it worked out but I was intending to imply multiple meanings for that particular refrain.
DeleteThis is excellent! Love the repetition of "And curses! - I've been foiled again."
ReplyDeleteThanks Iza. I agonized for days whether it should have been "Oh curses! - I've been..." or "And curses! - I've been...". I finally settled for 'And' so I'm glad you think it worked. :)
DeleteIsn't it funny how we agonize over the smallest words? You did a great job - and with a difficult poetic form. The sketch is wonderful too!
DeleteWhat a blast. "Spider-rain." Oh, yeah. It will be good to have a poet take it all over! a.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy. In my first version I had 'pizza-rain' but somehow that didnt sound very 'villain-y' .. :)
DeleteI, too, liked the spider rain...and even more so now that I know you threw out pizza rain to make it villain-ier!!
DeleteWonderful! I love this form and find it very challenging. You have rocked it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's definitely very challenging :)
DeleteGreat job with the 'villain-elle,' Vikram! Indeed, they are not the easiest things to write, are they?? "The "curses! I've been foiled again" line just BEGS to be repeated, doesn't it?) Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt. Reading your recent Villanelle was partial inspiration for writing this one. And yes, I very much also thought the form would match the stereotypical 'villain tale' very well. :)
Deletebtw...your villain looks just like the one I had in my head!
ReplyDeleteWait ... you're saying you have a villain that lurks in your head? Hmm.... :)
DeleteLove it that the good guys are STILL always winning!
ReplyDeleteSure enjoyed your dyslexic take on this old poetic form!
ReplyDeleteVery clever! I love it!
ReplyDelete