VILLANELLE REVISITED

As I sit down to write within my cell There is a thought that comforts me sometime:

I will arise to curse the Villanelle.

To me, the verse is like a banging bell. It's silly, light and plagues my ear with rhyme As I sit down to write within my cell.

Its mold restricts me to a hollow shell The Middle Ages may have thought sublime. I will arise to curse the Villanelle.

Its repetitions mount until they swell And burst upon the thoughts; to me a crime As I sit down to write within my cell.

Some say the verse can hold much weight quite well; Loud bells, I say, loud bells and with each chime I will arise to curse the Villanelle.

So notwithstanding Empson, I rebel While I have strength, and strength is at its prime.

As I sit down to write witflin my cell I wi11... I cannot write a Villanelle.