These two poems were part of a portfolio I submitted for my University coursework. They were also two of my first attempts at poetry :). These are both villanelles, and I had fun experimenting with this style (though finding so many words that rhymed was tricky at times!).
When writing them I drew influence from classic fairy tales, thinking how the protagonists are often told to stay on the right path and/or keep out of the woods. This idea is used for ‘The Warning’, while ‘The Rebellion’ is the response to this.
Hope you like!!! Feedback much appreciated. Will probably be uploading prose next 🙂
The Warning
Don’t enter the woods in the dead of night
You don’t understand what hides in there
Stay where I can see you, within the light.
Creatures that will cause pain, creatures that bite
Monsters that will shred, rip, maim, grip, tear
Don’t enter the woods in the dead of night.
Go and you will suffer a dreadful plight
Which would be too much for me to bear
Stay where I can see you, within the light.
Please do not dispute this, please do not fight
Do not disobey me, please don’t you dare
Don’t enter the woods in the dead of night.
You do know that, as always, I am right
Don’t try to tell me that it isn’t fair
Stay where I can see you, within the light.
The creatures will attack with all their might
I only forbid you because I care
Don’t enter the woods in the dead of night
Stay where I can see you, within the light.
The Rebellion
Unlike you, I’m not afraid of the dark
Not afraid to enter the woods, and there stay
My existence within the light is stark.
Not all creatures are akin to a shark
I wish to meet an elf, an imp, a fey
Unlike you, I’m not afraid of the dark.
I am bored of life on the path, please hark
I need more than this, I must go away
My existence within the light is stark.
The woods to me are an enchanted park
Somewhere new, exciting, where I can play
Unlike you, I’m not afraid of the dark.
If wolves or witches find me during my lark
Let them, or anything else come what may
My existence within the light is stark.
This adventure will give my life a spark
So yes, from you, from safety, I’ll stray
Unlike you, I’m not afraid of the dark.
My existence within the light is stark.
Inside My Mind 