(The Finch) – The Paradell Structure

the finch sings a sad lonely song
the finch sings a sad lonely song
there, there in the poplar tree at dawn
there, there in the poplar tree at dawn
lonely the finch sings a sad song
at dawn in the poplar over there

a cat in the courtyard – observe
a cat in the courtyard – observe
enchanted by the warbling finch
enchanted by the warbling finch
observe a cat – in the courtyard,
a finch enchanted by the dawn – warbling

here am I a lone poet
here am I a lone poet
in a hermit’s world of cats and finches
in a hermit’s world of cats and finches
a lone poet – I am here
in a rainy hermit’s world watching cats and finches

there – a cat and a lonely warbling finch
in the courtyard by the poplar tree
ah, and over here – observe
in a rainy hermit’s world –
am I, enchanted by the sad song –
a lone poet – watching cats and finches

 © G.s.k. ‘15

Here’s my attempt to write using “The Paradell Structure“: created by Billy Collins as a hoax  (“he claimed that the paradelle was a difficult, fixed form consisting of four six-line stanzas with a repetitive pattern invented in eleventh century France and the press believed the story and ran with it”) it is a parody of the Villanelle – through the notoriety around the form,  it’s become a puzzle challenge in the poet community throughout the years as it has taken on a life as its own.  A very difficult form indeed and not one I’ll be writing again soon!

OctPoWriMo – Day 18

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Tags: Billy Collins, Challenging Poem, OctPoWriMo 2015, Paradell Structure, photo, poem, poems, poetry, poetry blog, poetry writing, poets, poets corner, writing poetry