Challenge
Write a Villanelle, My Genius Poets!
The villanelle is a French verse form consisting of five three-line stanzas and a final quatrain, with the first and third lines of the first stanza repeating alternately in the following stanzas. These two refrain lines from the final couplet in the quatrain. Here's what that looks like (letters for rhyme scheme, numbers mean a line repeats):
A1 B A2//A B A1//A B A2//A B A1//A B A1 A2
No theme, no prompt other than make it great.
For examples of villanelles, please enjoy:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44976/the-house-on-the-hill
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/150043/letter-to-my-blackout
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47536/one-art
Our Last Lover’s Robes
His silk robes sway like a dancer.
When first we meet, his hand ours barely touches.
When he calls, we answer.
Patiently waiting, humanity's romancer,
With his drawing near, we quiver like rushes.
His flowing robes sway like a dancer.
He is life's enhancer.
As he passes by, our throat a hand clutches.
When he calls, we answer.
He counts us all; he is a careful financer.
At his price, every man flushes.
His long robes sway like a dancer.
At our fleeing, he gives a soft tancer.
He whispers; our protest hushes.
When he calls, we must answer.
Don't ask for more; he's no advancer.
His final touch on our back brushes.
His black robes sway like a dancer.
When he calls, we can only answer.