Challenge
Write a Villanelle Poem
The villanelle has nineteen lines, with a very specific rhyme and repetition pattern. The lines are broken up into five tercets (three line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (four line stanza). The rhyme scheme is aba aba aba aba aba abaa which means there are only two rhymes. "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop is very famous and beautiful example of a villanelle. Poems should follow these strict rules to be considered for this challenge.
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Strengthening the Mental
In exercise the Cycle breaks,
sometimes, at the wheels
Riding, over dubious stakes
in a pace, or place called Breakneck,
or South Bend, it steals
the breath, between dream state and wake
For sport, some have opted for fake
stiff treadmills, small meals,
To exorcise the Cycle breaks
Navigate juju by handshakes
through ledger board reels
and phony spokesmen's pattycakes
As to raise the deal Life "mistakes"
over Fortune's wheels,
gilding detrimental stakes
The feeble conscience muscle rakes
in tired appeals...
for the turn in strength that it takes.
In exercise the Cycle breaks.
2024 JUN 12