An Old Poet's Lament

My second Villanelle, and barely four years since the first!

AN OLD POET'S LAMENT

The mere evocation of lovely scenes
Defies its purpose, and its mission spurns
For a poem's not an end, but the means!

The Poet's art ought not exceed his dreams
Though wrought upon, or writ of Grecian urns--
The mere evocation of lovely scenes!

The wail of masses who would be free keens
But if Art is artless, or Craft craftless, who then learns?
For a poem's not an end, but the means!

Nor is writing of our minds, but of our genes!
And must not devolve unto, to quell your heart's burns,
The mere evocation of lovely scenes

For o'er the years, 'mongst peasantry and queens
Poetry its own immortal place yet earns--
For a poem's not an end, but the means!

This Old Poet, then, on sturdier bastions leans
While the youth their pointless pap out-churns:
The mere evocation of lovely scenes,...
For a poem's not an end, but the means!

mark teague
February 23, 2013

Author's Note

There are a few awkward transitions here that I will be wanting to work on, but I am overall pleased with it! The genesis of the poem was a chapter in my favorite poetry text, "Beethoven to Beatles and Beyond", by David Pichaske, on the writing of poetry ABOUT poetry. It comes highly recommended if you are interested in expanding your poetic repertoire.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' For o'er the years, 'mongst peasantry and queens ~ Poetry its own immortal place yet earns--~ For a poem's not an end, but the means! '

Two words come to mind, brilliant and how.on.earth.do.you.do.it.every.time?!?!
This villanetlle might have taken four years to birth, but the flow and capacity of it is incredibly 'natural; you've written to a specific form but also expressed an opinion about the craft of writing poetry. No one person should be able to do both! More than fine writing, Mr. Teague.

[Mark]

Aw, shuckins, ma'am, 'twarn't nuthin'! ((blushing furiously))
Emma, one reason I write so little, is because I insist on each piece having meaning, both to myself, and, hopefully to others as well. When a writer of your skill and talent yields up such high praise, you've told me that my strategy's working. Thank you.

[emmajoy]

You're welcome. Though being pleasant or.and polite is one thing, I won't leave make.believe for the sake of it. :)

[SheWolfNLust]

absolutely stunning, each word totally captivating and I so adored your brilliant word choices, which lead to you amazing imaginary, a most delightful read and the pleasure was all mine,, thanks so much for sharing xoxo

[Dominique Lambright]

Thanks for sharing the info about that text. Also I love this poem stays consistant. It had a point to make. Nice work :)

[Jack...]

I thought this conveyed its message easily and shone the light of poetry in every sense of the word.

[Muse]

What a lovely tribute for poets and artist alike. An eulogy written about the beauty of words. I liked how you repeated the last line in alternating stanzas:

For a poem's not an end, but the means!

There's no limit on a poet's mind, heart and creativity. It is the medium for which our souls can have a voice.

[Mark]

The repeated lines are part of the definition for what constitutes a Villanelle, ma petite cheri. Rhyme scheme five-three line stanzas of a-b-a, a sixth of a-b-a-a, also 1st line repeated at 6th, 12th and 18th, and 3rd repeated at 9th, 15th and 19th. The trick is to make the 1st and 3rd meaningful, but not too specific, so that they make sense in their other three manifestations. It's challenging, but not difficult if you have patience. Why'n'cha give it a try?

[Muse]

ooooh...I hear a technical challenge and I just cringe. Eons ago....a teacher even tried to force me into some calligraphy to offer a more disciplined approach to my work...he did not succeed. lol

You will have to slap my hand with a ruler!