The Villanelle Collection

The Villanelle Collection

 

Copyright Information

 

The Villanelle Collection

 

 

The Villanelles

 

Morn’s First Light

Eventide

A Breath of Wind

Everything

A Thread to the Moon

Hug

Dusty Ink

On Lonely Nights

In the Depth of His Soul

The Fall

Thankful Whispers

The Raven’s Eyes

Secret Flames

Whispers in the Night

Silence

Winter’s Breeze

Vanilla Skies

You

Your Gentle Touch

Villanelle on “18”

 

 

The Villanelle Collection

Copyright © 2017 by 1824 Publishers

 

 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing from 1824 Publishers, or as expressly permitted by law, by license or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to [email protected]. You must not circulate this work in any other form and you must impose the same condition on any acquirer.

 

Cover Art: “Dappled Wishes” – © 2017 Elusive Me

 

 

The Villanelle Collection

Elusive Me & Ferrick Gray

 

• * *

 

Today, the villanelle is accepted to be a nineteen-line poem consisting of five tercets and a final quatrain using two rhymes in a specified order. Throughout the poem there are two repeated lines, called the refrain. The beauty of the villanelle lies in its song-like nature and their refrains impart this musical quality.

 

Morn’s First Light

 

I will wait for thee upon morn’s first light

And pass to thee the sun awash in gold,

And take my leave amidst a starry night.

 

Upon blackest velvet that glitters bright;

There gently all thy sweet dreams I shall hold —

I will wait for thee upon morn’s first light.

 

I’ll drink thee in to quench a lover’s plight

As I bathe in light so hot as to scold,

And take my leave amidst a starry night.

 

As your brilliance is cast at heaven’s height,

My night glows shy against day brightly bold —

I will wait for thee upon morn’s first light.

 

I drift enamoured upon orbit’s flight

As thy whispered sighs like secrets unfold,

And take my leave amidst a starry night.

 

I will draw on thy glow of sheer delight

As thy wishes eternal yet untold:

I will wait for thee upon morn’s first light

And take my leave amidst a starry night.

 

Elusive Me

Eventide

 

The sun runs dry approaching eventide;

With dappled glow, her parting kiss, Good night,

As stars come out to dance horizons wide.

 

Her rayèd arms release her hold and slide

Away in red and orange from their height —

The sun runs dry approaching eventide.

 

The beauty of the velvet night, she sighed

And no regret hath she, but sheer delight

As stars come out to dance horizons wide.

 

Like babes awoken suddenly, wide-eyed

Their sparkle charms a mother’s heart despite;

The sun runs dry approaching eventide.

 

Where beauty matches beauty, never vied,

Celestial in peace — ethereal sight

As stars come out to dance horizons wide.

 

O waltz in constellations! Lay aside

The thought of sunrise later, days rewrite —

The sun runs dry approaching eventide

As stars come out to dance horizons wide.

 

Ferrick Gray

A Breath of Wind

 

She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky,

Her wings ethereal, joys dust from his star;

Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

 

Stillness surrounds, she is unable to fly

Where once she knew heavens kiss from afar;

She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky.

 

She gave her heart amidst a soulful sigh

With his promise to hold safely each scar,

Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

 

The breathless passion of her love leapt high,

Lost in his lyrics and strings of guitar —

She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky.

 

The inflections of his murmurs felt shy,

The heat of his need left her heart to char —

Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

 

Now his silence only sings of goodbye

Like fireflies lit and left in a jar —

She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky,

Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

 

Elusive Me

Everything

 

Forever mine, you are, in every way

The one I sought, and all there’ll ever be,

My everything, forever and a day.

 

So long I’ve waited now, in truth I may

Come take you for myself, for only me,

Forever mine, you are, in every way.

 

What do I care what other people say?

It matters not that jealous eyes may see

My everything, forever and a day.

 

The thought of you, makes blue skies out of gray

Brings happiness and sorrowed thoughts to flee:

Forever mine, you are, in every way.

 

Each night I ask and secretly I pray,

That God may grant these by His own decree,

My everything, you are, in every way.

 

Come take my hand, my weary soul will lay,

Contentedly with yours; me you, now we:

Forever mine, you are, in every way

My everything, forever and a day.

 

Ferrick Gray

A Thread to the Moon

 

She schemes in her heart as day seeps to night,

Melancholy swims in soulless eyes

Climbing a thread to the moon, lit so bright.

 

Held by gravity, though try as she might,

Undeterred, hope leaves her with limitless tries;

She schemes in her heart as day seeps to night.

 

The darkness unfolds and fills her with fright,

Devoid of wings; in her heart she still flies,

Climbing a thread to the moon lit so bright.

 

Even awake to her dreams she holds tight,

Though bound to the earth not one freedom dies —

She schemes in her heart as day seeps to night.

 

Haunted memories, tears hidden from sight

In the heavens above lost love still cries;

Climbing a thread to the moon lit so bright.

 

The stars in the sky keep her dreams alight,

Longing for love fills her heart with sweet sighs:

She schemes in her heart as day seeps to night,

Climbing a thread to the moon lit so bright.

 

Elusive Me

Hug

 

Within your arms, I wish to be,

Throughout the day and all through night

My want, to hold you close to me.

 

Forgive my wistful repartee

In heartfelt stories to rewrite,

Within your arms, I wish to be.

 

To think that I could not foresee

These feelings for you all despite

My want, to hold you close to me.

 

I’ll never hide or ever flee

The flame of passion set alight,

Within your arms, I wish to be.

 

In truth, I know you would agree,

That everything I feel is right,

My want, to hold you close to me.

 

I lay beside you feeling free

To love, protect and hold you tight.

Within your arms, I wish to be,

My want, to hold you close to me.

 

Ferrick Gray

Dusty Ink

 

Stardust falls from the parchment we did share,

Like a blanket, memories keep you near;

I swim in inky depths of our despair.

 

In softest glow of moonlight I now stare,

I remember every word you traced dear;

Stardust falls from the parchment we did share.

 

Like endless cursive script loops that ensnare

A silent confession, I wish you’d hear;

I swim in inky depths of our despair.

 

How I long to prove to you I still care,

The end of this sweet dream my greatest fear,

Stardust falls from the parchment we did share.

 

If my dreams died, my heart would surely tear —

Should all hope from our universe disappear,

I swim in inky depths of our despair.

 

I whisper soft asking “Are you still there?”

I refrain from saying the things you dare —

Stardust falls from the parchment we did share,

I swim in inky depths of our despair.

 

Elusive Me

On Lonely Nights

 

On lonely nights, as candles burn

And flick’ring flames lick eventide

I lay awaiting day’s return.

 

Though troubled thoughts fan my concern

The fires of love may try to hide

On lonely nights, as candles burn.

 

It’s then your comp’ny that I yearn

Envelops me. To lay beside.

I lay awaiting day’s return.

 

Oft times my heart fails to discern

‘Tween angel or a waiting bride

On lonely nights, as candles burn.

 

Then as I reminisce and learn

The truth, these foolish thoughts to chide:

I lay awaiting day’s return.

 

This sense of loss, forever spurn,

And doubting thoughts are soon belied

On lonely nights, as candles burn;

I lay awaiting day’s return.

 

Ferrick Gray

In the Depth of His Soul

 

In his warmth pressed to his chest I now lay,

Lost within his terrain my fingers trace

Where in the depth of his soul I shall play.

 

As long as he still needs me I will stay,

Every secret he whispers I embrace

In his warmth pressed to his chest I now lay.

 

It’s the journey not the length of the day,

Effortlessly dancing love keeps our pace

Where in the depth of his soul I shall play.

 

The light of love illuminates our way,

Once lost I am found within his embrace

In his warmth pressed to his chest I now lay.

 

In colour he paints every sky once grey,

He is my joy, the smile on my face

Where in the depth of his soul I shall play.

 

In his shelter all fear is kept at bay.

In his strength each day I now dare to chase.

In his warmth pressed to his chest I now lay,

Where in the depth of his soul I shall play.

 

Elusive Me

The Fall

 

The Spirit searches, comes as might,

Though faint at first, to sight may be

A flick’ring flame to pierce the night.

 

In strength it comes, to quell the fight

‘Tween good and evil, blessed are we;

The Spirit searches, comes as might.

 

When evil fell, he fell from height,

He thought the light that he could see -

A flick’ring flame to pierce the night.

 

His pride, his ego; glory’s plight

Was doused for favor – you and me;

The Spirit searches, comes as might.

 

He dared to question all that’s right,

Refused to bow and thus set free

A flick’ring flame to pierce the night.

 

Once an Angel, shone so bright,

Now in the darkness, dwell does he:

The Spirit searches, comes as might,

A flick’ring flame to pierce the night.

 

Ferrick Gray

Thankful Whispers

 

As starry nights fade soft to skies of blue

And lingered dreams still hold a sweet goodbye,

I’ll whisper soft, to thank the Lord for you.

 

For every thread of silken love that grew

In hearts that wake from dreams, that float on high

As starry nights fade soft to skies of blue.

 

For every promise you have held to true

And kissing soft the broken tears I cry,

I’ll whisper soft, to thank the Lord for you.

 

Each night I’ll lay beside you, wishing too,

To be your all in love, and not be shy

As starry nights fade soft to skies of blue.

 

You see, the love we hold was made for two,

Our souls entwined: fulfill, and that is why

I’ll whisper soft, to thank the Lord for you.

 

There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do

To make you smile, to hear your heartfelt sigh,

As starry nights fade soft to skies of blue

I’ll whisper soft, to thank the Lord for you.

 

Elusive Me

The Raven’s Eyes

 

The raven’s eyes, blood-red and full of hate,

With rank disdain, it watched and stared as we

Stood silently behind the wooden gate.

 

The tales that have been told round here of late

Of horror, all replayed when people see

The raven’s eyes, blood-red and full of hate.

 

Some say it killed the slayer of its mate;

So quickly death arrived and struck as he

Stood silently behind the wooden gate.

 

It makes me wonder. Yes, to contemplate

The swift revenge it sought; now many flee

The raven’s eyes, blood-red and full of hate.

 

And as I look, its seems to demonstrate

A sense of understanding, and with me

Stood silently behind the wooden gate.

 

The raven, ever patient; plans to wait

For evermore, with hopes of what could be:

The raven’s eyes, blood-red and full of hate,

Stood silently behind the wooden gate.

 

Ferrick Gray

Secret Flames

 

In formless dreams, cast within gilded gold

I drift upon the sweetest clouds embrace

There mine heart fills with secrets yet untold.

 

Lost — I’m giddy within surrenders hold

The unknown still awash in breathless grace

In formless dreams, cast within gilded gold.

 

Lingering in hope that cannot be sold

In a whispered need from my hidden place,

There mine heart fills with secrets yet untold.

 

I write thee scrolls of love I cannot fold,

I explore terrain I have yet to trace

In formless dreams, cast within gilded gold.

 

Caught by surprise I’m left so shy of bold

Burning embers enclosed deep in this place

There mine heart fills with secrets yet untold.

 

Aflame I burn within where thoughts do scold

To keep passion contained remains a chase.

In formless dreams, cast within gilded gold 

There mine heart fills with secrets yet untold.

 

Elusive Me

Whispers in the Night

 

This song, I sing to you may soon take flight,

Yet words may fail me. Lord! My love will be

As little secrets whispered in the night.

 

At times I think; a chance, perhaps you might

Be mine alone. With words sweet-pressed by me,

This song, I sing to you may soon take flight.

 

I question if I’m worthy, yet despite

The answer, no; to you my heart-felt plea

As little secrets whispered in the night.

 

The vision I imagine, O, this sight!

Can words alone secure a guarantee

This song, I sing to you may soon take flight?

 

My heart is stirred and given to excite

In beauty rapt and blessed by God’s decree,

As little secrets whispered in the night.

 

This want for you, I can no longer fight,

My life must be complete and you will see

This song, I sing to you may soon take flight,

As little secrets whispered in the night.

 

Ferrick Gray

Silence

 

And there’s a quietness that wraps around,

In the darkness you find your inner fight,

A stillness in your soul; devoid of sound.

 

You feel the crimson blood in your heart pound

Slipping from shadows, glorious His sight

And there’s a quietness that wraps around.

 

Finding your inner voice you go to ground,

Resting your soul in Him to rebuild might

A stillness in your soul; devoid of sound.

 

Keeping close God’s grace; saved, still heaven bound,

Wings carry even the fallen in flight

And there’s a quietness that wraps around.

 

From our inheritance we remain crowned,

A reserved place, not earned or of birth right;

A stillness in your soul; devoid of sound.

 

A strength unknown before; suddenly found

Alive in the drenching of the Son’s light,

And there’s a quietness that wraps around

A stillness in your soul; devoid of sound.

 

Elusive Me

Winter’s Breeze

 

The icy touch of Winter’s breeze,

Though from fair Nature’s tender hand,

Will never leave my soul at ease.

 

As Summer’s mem’ries taunt and tease,

Those flowering beauties n’er withstand

The icy touch of Winter’s breeze.

 

Though Autumn’s passion melds with these,

The fading colors of the land

Will never leave my soul at ease.

 

Yet Spring is hopeful, gowned in bees

That nectar drink as frail wings fanned

The icy touch of Winter’s breeze.

 

When Spring calls Summer, Winter flees

But mem’ries of her whiteness bland,

Will never leave my soul at ease.

 

Our loving Mother holds the keys

As seasons come and go, though grand;

The icy touch of Winter’s breeze,

Will never leave my soul at ease.

 

Ferrick Gray

Vanilla Skies

 

My joy is gifted in vanilla skies

Upon sweetest fragrance of tuberose

Wafting scents; bouquets of soft demure sighs.

 

I free fall in this moment; free of ties,

Awash in hues; the rosiest of glows;

My joy is gifted in vanilla skies.

 

Innocence encapsulates in closed eyes,

Filled with wonder as my consciousness grows,

Wafting scents; bouquets of soft demure sighs.

 

A stillness so sublime my bare soul cries

The slow germination of peace now shows

My joy is gifted in vanilla skies.

 

Subliminal awareness is my prize,

A gentle journey on a wind that blows

Wafting scents; bouquets of soft demure sighs.

 

I drift on clouds of undulating highs,

In summer’s most delicate pale rainbows —

My joy is gifted in vanilla skies,

Wafting scents; bouquets of soft demure sighs.

 

Elusive Me

You

 

When first we met, it seems so long ago,

That I would say I’ve known you for years

And now together, hearts as one we grow.

 

Perhaps it was that chance did fully know

That friendships found would chase away our fears

When first we met, it seems so long ago.

 

I speak to you so often, somehow though

The words you speak fall gently on my ears

And now together hearts as one, we grow.

 

I think sometimes a dream: Could it be so?

O no, and then this dream like mist, it clears

When first we met, it seems so long ago.

 

Yet more than friendship do we now bestow

Upon each other, more as love appears,

And now together hearts as one, we grow.

 

In truth I sense our love will always flow

Of cheerful mem’ries mixed with joyful tears.

When first we met it seems, so long ago,

And now together, hearts as one we grow.

 

Ferrick Gray

Your Gentle Touch

 

Your gentle touch eliciting soft sighs,

Caressing skin, while sunlight kisses day

In visions gold I drown in embered eyes.

 

As morning greets, enraptured in sunrise

I drift in clouds, as memories now play,

Your gentle touch, eliciting soft sighs.

 

The rush of want to catch you by surprise,

In quickened breath, I drink in all you say,

In visions gold I drown in embered eyes.

 

Surrendered lips, pouting in soft cries

Begging you in moans, “Please baby, stay,”

Your gentle touch, eliciting soft sighs.

 

You make me wait, crescendoed to new highs

In molten moves, I feel our bodies sway,

In visions gold I drown in embered eyes.

 

And as we climb I’m lost; you hypnotise,

Disheveled glows; our souls a naked splay,

Your gentle touch, eliciting soft sighs

In visions gold I drown in embered eyes.

 

Elusive Me

Villanelle on “18”

 

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see —

So long as I can always hold your hand,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

If ever souls as two, are one to be

‘Twas always meant — obeying God’s command;

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see.

 

My love is strong, I ask on bended knee,

‘Tis true, this time I yearned — this moment planned;

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

My eyes, soon fill with tears. You hold the key

To all I have. My hopes and dreams expand —

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see.

 

Your answer to me, ev’ry pain would flee

For pain of love is hard to e’er withstand —

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

And time stood still, my utterance, my plea

Now answered with a smile — you understand:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

Ferrick Gray

 

 

The refrain is the couplet from William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18.

 

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