[stylist] my attempt at a virelai

[Barbara Hammel]

Which can also be spelled virelay, so in order for JAWS to pronounce the rhymes correctly, I spelled it with the y.
To be technical, this is a virelai ancien—or as close to one as I could find a definition for.


  A VIRELAY
  by Barbara Hammel

How do you write a virelay?
It seems that none can tell today.
But I'll try.
I know the rhymes must go this way.
But length of lines? Who can say.
My! oh, my!
And so I'll write mine up this way,
And you can write one how you may.
I'll not ask why.

As many words as stars in sky.
For filling of this virelay pie,
Shall come to you,
If you work instead of sigh,
If you ponder 'stead of cry,
They will come through.
I wanted to write this poem, why?
It's not easy. I won't lie.
And that is true.

I think I'll stir this pot a few,
Then spoon some letters from the brew.
Oh glory be!
How long might you now sit and stew
Before a virelay you'll do?
Look at me!
I started with a thought that grew
>From something of which naught I knew.
Wow! Just see!

I've reached the end of this little spree,
But my spirit overflows with glee.
A virelay high!
And now I feel I've been set free
So from this little poem I'll flee.
I shall fly.
But before I reach the lea
I'll put this leaf on the "poet tree",
And say good-bye.

Barbara
P.S.  It was pretty corny, wasn’t it?  I hope it made you chuckle—it does me.


Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.--Robert Frost