Form as Freedom

Eventually the cage becomes the companion. Form isn’t constraint—it’s clarity.

Villanelle’s Villanelle (Redemptions III.5; Redemptions Refrain II.2)

Villanelle did accost my being whole,

Mind, spirit, reasoning: trembled, bound, failed.

Now ‘Nellie enlightened my thoughts and soul,

To ponder well-worn paths, yield life’s control,

Expand awareness, rhyme’s mount all but scaled.

Villanelle did accost my being whole,

Confusion intruded, none to cajole,

Writing fled wounded and hopefulness paled.

Now ‘Nellie enlightened my thoughts and soul,

Poem’s promenade unbound, capriole

Reveals quest’s end glimmer, triumph unveiled.

Villanelle did accost my being whole,

Vision wavered, unexpected knothole

Impeded perception, talent exhaled.

Now ‘Nellie enlightened my thoughts and soul:

Opened heaven’s gate, poet’s pen console,

Liberated creative skills inhaled.

Villanelle did accost my being whole,

Now ‘Nellie enlightened my thoughts and soul.

Comment: What first assaulted the poet becomes a guide—Nellie turning constraint into revelation