[stylist] my attempt at a virelai

[Barbara Hammel]

I've been digging in the Princeton Encyclopedia of Poems and Poetic Terms? or something like that. I thought maybe if I challenged my brain with different forms it might get my creative juices flowing again.

Me

> On Oct 21, 2013, at 18:54, Myrna Badgerow <kajuncutie926 at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes it did make me chuckle. I wrote one of these many moons ago but have no clue how or why. If I can find the blasted thing I'll send it on. 
> 
> I have to say I did love this because a friend of mine gives me assignments and I swear she must dig in the most obscure well of forms. Lol
> Myrna 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Oct 21, 2013, at 1:49 PM, "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 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
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