16 Dec 2012

Reflected Light

Remember how this winter day gave light
to country fields where frost and snowflakes lay?
It held at bay the terrors of the night.

When phantoms lurk and prowl our inner sight
and blackest thoughts intrude and bar our way,
remember how this winter day gave light.

Its hoarfrost beauty kept the landscape bright,
attempting evening darkness to delay...
It held at bay the terrors of the night.

To those who'd choose to flee to calm their fright
there's scant advice to give, except to say
"Remember how this winter day gave light."

Then their unease must give way to delight;
although the sun had seemed to hide away,              
it held at bay the terrors of the night.

And should your future self meet such a plight,
in each reflective moment, do, I pray,
remember how this winter day gave light;
it held at bay the terrors of the night.

Thanks to Tess and Andy Magee at The Mag #148 for their inspiration. I have also linked this to Poets United, and IGWRT too.

35 comments:

  1. the brightness of a crisp winter day can indeed chase away the nightmares...
    great poem!

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  2. Excellent villanelle. Usually the pattern of repeated lines makes them sound nailed into place. Not here. I like the image processing, too.

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  3. What a great villanelle! The repetition give your lines weight and depth. Love it!

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  4. Tis a real pure delight to see,
    The night terrors held back with Glee.

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  5. Wonderful! I am not versed on forms but man, oh, man, you held me with your words!!!

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  6. this is the best!!...I love the thoughts and the exceptional way you've tackled the villanelle...it just flows...love it!!

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  7. Beautifully done. Congratulations.

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  8. Held at bay! indeed- and please tell me you don't see or find all the roads to be uphill!

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    1. Absolutely not, m'dear! But the mountains alter perspective. :)

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  9. So descriptive of a long icy winter night. It does glow and chase away the gloom
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  10. A wonderful poem of hope. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Love and light work miracles... :)

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  12. A little negative :-)
    turned back to positive
    possible to absorb the negative
    on our behalf?

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  13. the refrains work beautifully to sustain the mood.wonderfully done.and the simplicity of the lines makes them resonate with so many meanings!

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  14. What a wonderful read! Flowing, this piece soothes the reader, like a lullaby. One of my favorites of the week.

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  15. Marvelous... love your version of the picture, Jinksy...

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  16. ..ah, def write...and truly fascinating...your version of the image this

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    1. ..this week 's really changed... and leaves an impression of deep silence ... smiles...

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  17. I love the mantra quality of your villanelle! So soothing and peaceful almost a prayer or a plea! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. I like the echoing words of the winter's light ~ Thanks for sharing ~

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  19. I love the way that form reads, and this one was mercurial in its flow and hushed in its tone and questioning. Made it hopeful ic the clouds should lift for a moment. Great writing.

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  20. Amazing! I love how you remind us to remember~

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  21. Very tight writing. I love the repetition in this form, which you have made use of flawlessly. Wonderful to read!

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  22. Thank you for this repetition induced memory that all will be ok.

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  23. Jinksy, this is an amazing villanelle - it flows so naturally from one stanza to the next, and there is a stoic sense of serenity of mood. The repeated lines are so beautiful. They will stay with me for a long time.

    ..remember how this winter day gave light;
    it held at bay the terrors of the night.

    Perfect.

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  24. Beautifully done, Jinksy. Like Kerry, I love the last two lines.
    K

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  25. Brilliant! (I'll even forgive you for cheating. I never saw any snow...?)

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  26. Fantastic. I don't often care for form poetry, but this is wonderful.

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  27. A truly excellent write Jinksy. It is indeed wonderful!

    Anna :o]

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  28. A triumph this, Jinksy, from the negative to the villanelle, beautiful.

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  29. love your use of the repetition, Pen. wonderful villanelle!

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  30. atmospheric with a wealth of tangible feeling

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