17 Comments
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Megan Willome's avatar

I love villanelles! This one is so good, especially with your enjambments. Yes, "Blind us with light!"

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Thanks, Megan, yes, amen.

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Anna, this is an amazing villanelle--well done!

I enjoyed these last lines,

"for heaven’s rending— O let daylight bleed

into the cracks, split this stone asunder

until our nights be day—more light, we need!

Blind us with light! Come! be our Dawn, we plead."

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Thank you, Jody! I'm glad those final lines spoke to you.

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Rosa Lía Gilbert's avatar

Yes! More light, always. Exquisite.

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Jerry Foote's avatar

Thank you for your Advent series. It is my first introduction to villanelle poetry. (My poetry education is remedial at my age.) But now I will try to write one of my own.

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

I hope you do write one, Jerry! It's quite a challenge. And very rewarding!

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Linda Jackson's avatar

I never get poetry, but I get this one! It is awe inspiring. Thank you.

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Ha, Linda! I'm sure you get more than you give yourself credit for. But I'm also so glad you enjoyed this one.

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Sierra Westerholm's avatar

Well done! Love the drama and message of it.

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Sierra, thank you!

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Chanda Singleton Griesë's avatar

I love how light is infused in this villanelle to point to the Light who came into the world and the darkness could not overcome it!

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Amen. Exactly.

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Ellie DuHadway Goings's avatar

I remember your villanelle aspirations from when you first shared One Art with me back in 2017 (which is still one of my favorites today). You’ve done it! Congratulations 🤗

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Ellie! Yes, I have been trying for a while, haha! I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

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Lee Baker DeVore's avatar

Beautifully written in a complex form. Quite the challenges you've set yourself. But this shines light into me as I too plead.

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Anna A. Friedrich's avatar

Thank you, Lee, yes the pleading continues. I'm so glad some light found you through this poem.

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