A Man in Combat Boots (Villanelle)

This actually has some bearing on past truth. The heart does move on, though, if one lets it...In fact, the picture is a portrait I painted of a soldier...

 

A part of me belongs to a man in combat boots

Who never wore a uniform to anything but war

Love I lost, and I'm not seeking new recruits

 

Through my veins it seems, his memory shoots

The warning round that keeps me on the floor

A part of me belongs to a man in combat boots

 

Memory and sorrow are two fellows in cahoots

Replaying every kiss since I can't have any more

Love I lost, and I'm not seeking new recruits

 

Love, he was not lost amongt the rocky buttes

Of some faraway and bloody foreign shore

A part of me belongs to a man in combat boots

 

Yes, he's still alive, marching to other pursuits

After deciding he wanted another's heart more

Love I lost, and I'm not seeking new recruits

 

Love's a fickle tree, always gaurding her fruits

Though it's a consolation, not losing her to war

A part of me belongs to a man in combat boots

Love I lost, and I'm not seeking new recruits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

This actually has some bearing on past truth. The heart does move on, though, if one lets it...In fact, the picture is a portrait I painted of a soldier...

Reviews

[A.J. Smith]

This is a terrific poem. I particularly like the first lines of your third and sixth stanzas...very clever. Thank you also for introducing me to the Villanelle form, with which I was not familiar (I spent some time researching it). You produced quite a marvelous piece while keeping to a very constraining format. I might just have to try one of these! Also, my compliments on your painting...I hope that portrait is framed and hung someplace. Your right brain is pretty impressive, Constance.

[The Warrior Poet]

Sometimes it's hard to heart on paper without bleeding out all over the page. This a well-constrained and thus readable work. Perhaps it lends some closure...

[Sharon Miller Bolander]

I'd guess many romances have been divided by war. While the body of a soldier man survive, can the soldier ever be the same person? You've penned this form of loss beautifully. Sharon

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

Nicely written poem. I like the way it rhymes. Thank you for sharing. Debileah

[luthien7]

Wow, very powerful. my favorite is: "Love, he was not lost amongt the rocky buttes//Of some faraway and bloody foreign shore//A part of me belongs to a man in combat boots". An excellent job in this Villanelle form. The second repeating rhyme, "...not seeking new recruits" works very well in the context of your poem.

[Emily Elizabeth]

I'm sorry, I really am. It's not just the civilians who get hurt in war.
A heart-felt poem, full of meaning and love. Writing poetry expresses our feelings, and some of our best work comes out this way. It's also about the healing process. Here not only have you expressed your emotions but written a terrific piece of poetry, one that will stay in my mind for a long time. You've used repetition in a very effective and haunting way.
Oh, and you're a great artist too! I love the medium you've used for the portrait.