Ward 26 ~ A Villanelle

At the start of the month, I volunteered to run a session of our local Writer’s Club. I’m not entirely sure why I volunteered to do this because it’s the sort of thing I hate doing, but volunteer I did.

I ended up trying to teach everyone a little bit about one of my favourite poetic forms – The Villanelle.

I say it’s my favourite – I like reading them. Writing them is a pain because of the strict repeating pattern and rhyming structure.

It turned out to be quite amusing, trying to write one as a group but trying to write my own this evening was less enjoyable. The result was something rather more dark and depressing than I intended.

I have called it:

Ward 26

I don’t want a tearful goodbye,

As you turn to walk away –

I just want a better place to die.

.

I can see how hard you’re going to try,

Can list every tired cliché –

I don’t want a tearful goodbye.

.

Don’t be ashamed if your eyes are dry,

You have no debts to pay –

I just want a better place to die.

.

I hear each quietly frustrated sigh,

When you visit every day –

I don’t want a tearful goodbye.

.

You speak but I cannot reply,

Cannot share my bleak dismay –

I just want a better place to die.

.

I just wish that I could see the sky,

Even if it’s painted grey.

I don’t want a tearful goodbye –

I just want a better place to die.

Carole Holland 21/02/2013