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. :)

[Barbara Kasey Smith]

Profound and words from a poet to poets to relay an important message about writing poetry. This poem is fine tuned and carries a great message. Writers need to be exact in their words and not use excessive words they do not need, they should not provide too much to the reader but enough words to get their point across with an understanding.

[TL Boehm]

yes, it does seem that there is a limitless supply of emoetry here at the cafe - but there are quiet tables here and there where the fare is rich and heady. I smiled as I read this. Well penned.

[Mark]

We had been friended at one point (I remember having read several entries in your blog), and I do not know how that came to be severed, but we are now friended again, as who can ever have enough lovely women praising him, I ask you? Like your term "emoetry"--reminds me of my own "diary-hea"! Appreciate the comment!

[Constance Payne]

I copied your link from one previously read by another.

"For o'er the years, 'mongst peasantry and queens"

I like this line, for regardless of who you are or your status in life poetry holds something for us all.

[Mark]

Thank you. Connie...The villanelle is daunting, because one needs so many words with the same ending sound, and I had eschewed it for more than a decade, as the repeated lines made me think it would become a snore, you know, trite. Boy was I ever wrong! The very repetitiveness tends to drive home the point more rather than less effectively!
this is my second, having written my first, "Old Soldier" some four years ago. Pleas feel free to have a look at it, if you like the form...And you cannot forget Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night", the definitive Villanelle.

[roarke]

I found nothing awkward about this piece.
the arts, et al is the cross-platform to true learning. I have to chuckle about the phrase "pointless pap" ..... I'm afraid I couldn't be so genteel or kind....
A very well turned piece.

[Mark]

Thank you, Roarke. I've always admired your writing and your reviews, and never realize how long it's been since I've heard from you, until I DO!

[Sukriti Suki]

I like your work...Poetry is a means to express with multiple outcomes depending on the reader and that makes it all the more fasinacting for me. It is the means to say what you want to say and still be sure it won't be apprant to the naked eye. I like your subtle way and deep thoughts. Looking forward to reading more of your work.

[Mark]

Thank you very much. Your friend ap was accepted. Looking forward to reading more of you, and hearing your opinions of me and mine as well.

[kwestion22]

I have to say the repeated line "for a poem's not an end, but the means!" feels extremely gratifying to me and gave me chills. Great work!

[Mark]

If you are not familiar with the form Villanelle, that is what this poem is. It's one of the harder to construct, because of the limited rhyme scheme, but can be very rewarding when done well. I suggest you look into Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night", as the definitive example, referred in ANY discussion of that form. And if you wish, you may also look at my other Villanelle, "Old Soldier". Thanks for stopping by.

[Tate Morgan]

You put alot of thopught into your work it shows very well done

[An owl on the moon]

Everything moves so perfectly here in form and rhythm. Profoundly moving in thought and emotion. Now, just one question: who wrote it? You're certainly not old enough!

[Mark]

Har-de-har-HARRRH! ( ooooh, I think I sprained something!)

[An owl on the moon]

LOL! Now, go run another marathon and get back to me. :)