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at length evening comes

A Villanelle after visiting my Great-Uncle's grave.

By Conor DarrallPublished 4 months ago 1 min read
Runner-Up in Villanelle Challenge
15
The Old Cemetery near Glenties - photo courtesy of Ashe Lawson

Where landscape steals from steel-cold, frozen, cloud,

A smoky glen, with gentle, noble sheep;

I greet the dead with nods and smiles, aloud.

--

I’ve limped from London, lover-led and proud,

To softer Bluestacks, there our tryst to keep,

Where landscape steals from steel-cold, frozen, cloud.

--

Escaping from the life of noise and crowds;

Where living corpses, like the daylight, creep,

I greet the dead with nods and smiles, aloud.

--

Old pathways cuts through mountains, heather-browed,

(The music pausing with the sat-nav beep)

Where landscape steals from steel-cold, frozen cloud.

--

Depression lifted like a windswept shroud,

The boneyard just atop a valley deep.

I greet the dead with nods and smiles, aloud.

--

I share the truths our ancients are allowed.

My lover holds me as I proudly weep,

Where landscape steals from steel-cold, frozen, cloud,

I greet the dead with nods and smiles, aloud.

picture author's own

nature poetryVillanelleFamily
15

About the Creator

Conor Darrall

Short-stories, poetry and random scribblings. Irish traditional musician, sword student, draoi and strange egg. Bipolar/ADD. Currently querying my novel 'The Forgotten 47' - @conordarrall / www.conordarrall.com

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

Top insight

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

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Comments (12)

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  • Ashe Lawson3 months ago

    This really is a stunning poem. You captured perfectly and tied it up with a lovely bow.

  • Alison McBain3 months ago

    Vivid imagery. You really took us with you in this poem.

  • Jo Darrall4 months ago

    Oh now, oh. This is gorgeous. Beautiful. I felt it bone deep. Your words, alchemical, always thrum a heartbeat rhythm. Congratulations x

  • Daphsam4 months ago

    Congratulations!

  • Natalie Wilkinson4 months ago

    Beautiful, congratulations !

  • Dana Crandell4 months ago

    Both the poem and the photo are brilliant. Congratulations on placing, Connor!

  • D.K. Shepard4 months ago

    Congrats! What a powerful scene and a masterful villanelle!

  • Caroline Jane4 months ago

    Congratulations. There is so much story in this.

  • This was both very melancholic and emotional. Loved your poem!

  • Phil Flannery4 months ago

    That was very emotive. I haven't dared try this challenge, but this may be the best one I've read.

  • Babs Iverson4 months ago

    Heartfelt & lovely!!!❤️❤️💕

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