Romancing The Pen
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Terzanelle ah ah ah
Terzanelle ah ah ah17 Years AgoI just discovered the existence of terzanelles. They're basically villanelles with a twist.
Here is the explanation: The terzanelle is a modified villanelle. It uses the terza rima's interlocked rhyme pattern, but fits the villanelle form of five triplets and a quatrain. In addition, the middle line of the 1st stanza becomes the third line of the next stanza, and so on, such that the terzanelle is a huge pain, but worth the effort and determination to finish. Because the repeated line changes and the rhyme sounds change (according to terza rima structure) the terzanelle is a less obsessive poem than the villanelle whose repetetion can be overpowering. A terzanelle's repetetion is more subtle and can give the poem a lush texture that a harsh repeater-poem cannot do. Terzanelle's are difficult to write, but fun to play with. This is Lewis Turco's "Terzanelle in Thunderweather" This is the moment when shadows gather under the elms, the cornices and eaves. This is the center of thunderweather. The birds are quiet among these white leaves where wind stutters, starts, then moves steadily under the elms, the cornices, and eaves-- these are our voices speaking guardedly about the sky, of the sheets of lightning where wind stutters, starts, then moves steadily into our lungs, across our lips, tightening our throats. Our eyes are speaking in the dark about the sky, of the sheets of lightening that illuminate moments. In the stark shades we inhibit, there are no words for our throats. Our eyes are speaking in the dark of things we cannot say, cannot ignore. This is the moment when shadows gather, shades we inhibit. There are no words, for this is the center of thunderweather. I'm gonna create a contest, just to see if some people are up to the challenge!!! |