Dwelling in the past brings solace and rest,
The days of youth and deeds of derring do,
Source of consolations for the final test.
Memories of old friends, times of the best
Such wonderful mates, so solid and true.
Dwelling in the past brings solace and rest
Alone, with heavy heart and breathless chest
Thinking of the scrapes that we’d all been through
Source of consolations for the final test
Childhood and youth, a life forever blessed
Love, laughter, adventure, a heady brew
Dwelling in the past brings solace and rest
Then, a place, partner, children of one’s own
All chasing other dreams, another view
Source of consolations for the final test
Final darkness, a good life’s last caress
Visions of sunlight and grace surround you
Dwelling in the past brings solace and rest,
Source of consolations for the final test
Terry Wassall
March 2020
Hi Terry,
I really enjoyed your villanelle the other day. If this is your first attempt at the form, then you’ve succeeded admirably. Very well done!
Bill
That’s very kind of you Bill. You’re a true poet so I’ll take it as a huge compliment. Although I read poetry from time to time I never intended to write any but Liz’s sessions and hearing the group’s poems has prompted me to give it a go. I’m still mostly interested in writing prose but I think getting to grips with poetry, its use of words and its economy of expression, is relevant to prose too. I’ve written a couple of poems as excercises but I hadn’t heard of villanelles before. I enjoyed wrestling with it!