Arthur,

One benefit of being in contact with this list is that I can hear lots of
cool-sounding phrases (and the insight that comes with them). egg Israel and
Palestine are like Siamese twins, mutually dependent but contributing to
each others' suffering. egg the truly novel idea requires a truly novel
metaphor to bring it into the waking world  and a dozen others. Anyway about
the Villanelle: "this form is prone to a jarring effect which you have
offset nicely with enjambment". Heard that somewhere before? Makes me sound
like I know what I'm talking about.......Next time somebody is swearing at
me I can bring it out by way of riposte.

Anyway, to come to your poem my least favourite line is L2 of S1 because I'm
not sure what a "sheltered pale" is.

My favourite lines are L2 of S5 (I like muscled fells) and 2 of 6 as I like
the association between extreme weather and battle.


BW


Colin

Anyway, to come to your
----- Original Message -----
From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 10:55 AM
Subject: New Sub: Castle: The villanelle


> The Castle: The Villanelle
>
>
> Though centuries have levelled tower and keep
> the walls can still define the sheltered pale.
> Where market, town and patterned meadows sweep
>
> the castle guarded clouds of drifting sheep
> that helped the town to prosper in its narrow vale
> though centuries have levelled tower and keep
>
> that thwarted envy and allowed the folk to reap
> and sell their harvest, labour to avail
> where market, town and patterned meadows sweep.
>
> Children of the builders in comfort sleep,
> the solace of its grey walls still prevails
> though centuries have levelled tower and keep
>
> and tourists come to view the noble heap
> snug in the muscled fells and rolling dale
> where market, town and patterned meadows sweep
>
> No longer need the folk from terror creep
> for only winter wars and gales assail
> the market, town and patterned meadow-sweep
> and centuries have levelled tower and keep.
>
>