Villanelle Poem by Tom Billsborough
Villanelle
I have lost my turtle-dove:
Is she not the one I hear
I must go and find my love.
You pine for her, the one you love
And so do I, I fear.
I have lost my turtle dove.
If you love will never move
My faith also is clear
I must go and find my love.
Your grief will always move,
And I too grieve, my dear
I have lost my turtle-dove.
I see no more my treasure trove
Nothing fairer is there here
I must go and find my love.
Death, for which I call above,
Is now my only one desire!
I have lost my turtle-dove
I must go and find my love.
So I thought I'd translate the very first Villanelle by the 16th century French poet, Jean Passerat. hope other members might like to try one.
Very nicely done, Tom. You have certainly captured here the universally resonating poignancy of loss, the haunting tenacity of which likely contributed to the endurance of this poetic form. Thank you for sharing this artistically executed translation; in my eyes you have done it great justice.
I think the line that ends treasure trove might need revising. French is easier to rhyme than English. And I couldn't think of a way of bringing in that ringing bell sound that the poet uses from Tourterelle. the French for Turtle-dove. The original is very beautiful.
Tom this is so sad yet beautiful at the same time, to find my turtle-dove, don't think I have ever really found mine...YET...there is always time.....I hope lol Annette
I'm sure you will, Annette. In fact I know you will. keep flashing those Irish eyes!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 9:45:12 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Oh! This is such a heart-breaking poem... and really it seemed straight from your heart, Tom. Thank you for translating it into English- -it is one of those important ones that I could not have read if you hadn't. Bless you.. You have challenged me- -I shall try to write a Villanelle- -so be ready to duck! ! !
I shall try to write an original myself. The original French sounds so musical. And the repeatedell sounds like a funeral bell which intensifies the feeling. As I said below Tourterelle is the French for Turtle-dove. He uses three beats to the line but there is no reason why you shouldn't write it to suit your own rhythm. I'll look forward to reading it.