“The Nap” (Villanelle With Non-fitting Elephants)
The Nap (Post Fight, Post Reconcilation)
Side by side, we slid to a dry, still, place.
It was not a woeful drought of age or dust,
the softer dryness of a tear-trailed face.
We never used to find this quiet space.
Any closeness quickly clambered into lust.
But side by side, we slid to a dry, still, place
where hands touched in a sweat-free interlace,
fatigue overwhelming pheromone fuss
with the softer dryness of a tear-trailed face.
Some other time we’d find that moist embrace
where pleasure mounts to such synaptic bust
I find myself side-sliding to a place
as blank as emptied well, as capsized chase.
(My brain reacts so badly to heart’s trust,
the softer dryness of a tear-trailed face.)
But today, we two, exhausted by the pace
of time and life and words like ‘should’ and ‘must’,
side by side, slid to a dry, still, place,
the softer dryness of a tear-trailed face.
*******************************************************
First off, want to say how gladdened and moved I am by Obama’s statements re gay marriage. (Hurray! And Finally! But mainly just plain Hurray!)
Secondly, I am posting the above villanelle for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads. (If you like villanelles, do check out that category on this blog. I’ve done a lot – I’m not sure this is such a good one, but it hasn’t been circulated very much.) (And no, the elephants sitting up in bed do not really fit with either the poem or gay marriage! I just liked the picture.) (And no, they are not Republican elephants.)
Finally, thanks as always for your patience and ongoing support. It is much appreciated on this end.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, Uncategorized, villanelleTags: "The Nap (Post Fight Post Reconcilation), After the Air Is Cleared poem, Elephants reading in bed, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com, manicddaily, Villanelle After the Fight and Making Up
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
ManicDDaily 
May 10, 2012 at 8:10 am
I enjoyed this very much! the pattern and structure. being brand new on the scene, this is the first villanelle i’ve “consciously” read. thank you for the powerful introduction.
~j
May 10, 2012 at 8:14 am
Thank *you,* Jane, for your kind words. I have a bunch of them if you are interested- I really like the form, I guess. Perhaps because once you get your repeating lines, you don’t have to come up with much else! K.
May 10, 2012 at 8:41 am
This is an excellent example of villanelle, and I especially like the modern voice you have given the traditional poem.
May 10, 2012 at 8:54 am
Thanks so much, Kerry. k.
May 10, 2012 at 10:59 am
very nice! wow. the villanelle is my nemesis. i am highly impressed.
May 10, 2012 at 11:14 am
Wonderful villanelle!
May 10, 2012 at 11:44 am
nice…i have yet to try a villanelle..it is an enchanting form…i like the story you put into it as well…though i will say make sex is not bad at all…but also the just being together in that dry place is not bad either…smiles….and heck yeah on the obama announcement…
May 10, 2012 at 11:48 am
Yes, I agree that meke-up sex is not bad. This is an older poem, and I’m not sure that it actually arose from a fight! But I was looking for a reason for the tears–I’m kind of a teary person to begin with, I think. k.
May 10, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Nicely done…