Strength Of Spirit (A Villanelle) Poem by Dawn Slanker

The villanelle is a French form with a heavy emphasis on repetition. It follows the structure given below (in which lower case letters represent rhymes and capital letters represent entire lines) .

A(1) b A(2)
a b A(1)
a b A(2)
a b A(1)
a b A(2)
a b A(1) A(2)

http: //www.elfwood.com/farp/thewriting/27brianforms/27brianforms.html#villanelle

(I decided to try a period piece. I hope the language is not too archaic)

Strength of Spirit

Cleave not, tempest, to my wistful brain.
Fair thoughts should nourish a wholesome mind.
Fight; take flight from the falling of the rain.

Through willful despite does happiness feign
with apocryphal airs and strength refined.
Cleave not, tempest, to my wistful brain

Though ardent fortitude at last did wane;
as a shattered spirit becomes confined.
Fight; take flight from the falling of the rain.

Swelling melancholy sodden with pain
will not acquiesce to thoughts maligned
Cleave not, tempest, to my wistful brain

Curse all ill affect and unwelcome reign.
Let hope illuminate dark thoughts that blind.
Fight; take flight from the falling of the rain

Seek solace from self in soulful refrain
as truth and wisdom become intertwined.
Cleave not, tempest, to my wistful brain.
Fight; take flight from the falling of the rain.

©2008 Dawn Slanker