The Villanelle a la 8th grade

Here are some more villanelles, and villanelles-in-progress, this time from the 8th graders.

I shared a second handout with them that included a villanelle by David Trinidad ("Chatty Cathy Villanelle"), and one I wrote called "Ways and Means." I wanted them to see as many examples as possible of different ways to approach this form, and different expressions that it can take.

Some of the students didn't finish all the way, but I had to admit to them that it took me longer than two 40-minute sessions to write my own villanelle. It's a difficult form, but many students gave a strong go. I included the following poems either because they showed some mastery of the villanelle form, or because they did something inventive and interesting with what they were given, such as the fragments I've included that are so compelling to read that I want the students to finish them, if only so I can read the end! I was also excited to see how students incorporated new vocabulary that they picked up from the rhyming dictionaries.

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Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade

Stay Up
Raul G.

Don’t let them keep you down.
Don’t give in to the struggle.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.

Let no one take your crown.
Keep them down, ’til their blood makes a puddle.
Don’t let them keep you down.

These are all your people; your town
loyal to you, oh so humble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.

Without a care they make you frown.
I see potential, yet they all stumble.
Don’t let them keep you down.

I see talent that can astound
but under pressure, dreams crumble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.

You hear the roaring of the crowd.
Wipe the blood off your knuckle.
Don’t let them keep you down.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.


Villanelle
Jessica G.

When you grow up, what will you be?
If you work hard, you could succeed.
Please do something that you will achieve.

Maybe an astronaut if you believe,
so go on and proceed.
When you grow up, what will you be?

So keep looking and you will receive.
So go out and look and do your deed.
Please do something that you will achieve.

Go out and retrieve.
Don’t worry, you won’t bleed.
When you grow up, what will you be?

Please do something that you will achieve.


Villanelle
Jacky L.

In a dream I see many things,
a big purple crocodile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.

I love the joy it brings,
an orange monkey with a smile.
In a dream I see many things.

Waking up would be death-defying.
I see a squirrel that’s very hostile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.

I watch a green lady cross the Nile.
In a dream I see many things.

An old man who’s very old-style.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.

A cool-looking hippo by the name of Kyle.
In a dream I see many things.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.

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Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade

Arms Race
Samantha N.

All they hear is the bass.
They’re dressed to kill
because this is just the arms race.

These kids are the change of pace.
They’re not going to stand still.
All they hear is the bass.

They listen to the best, and say, “Rad, dollface.”
Their headphones are loud, and they thrill
because this is just the arms race.

They don’t care about the political race.
You won’t do it, but these kids will.
All they hear is the bass.

They’ll confront each other face to face.
These kids know how to chill
because this is just the arms race.

They’re not going to keep a straight face.
These just won’t be still.
All they hear is the bass
because this is just the arms race.


Villanelle
Alberto M.

Winter go away; you cause us misery and sadness.
Snow is powerful when they unite.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.

Kids throwing snowballs at cars.
Some people are afraid during a snowing night.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.

Men staying at bars.
Kids throwing snowballs with all their might.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.

The sky filled with stars,
kids inside of their homes drinking Sprite.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.

Traveling to countries is far.
Kids outside using their flashlight.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.

Others playing the guitar.
Miles of snow seen only by eyesight.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness
trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.


Life?!
Alejandra S.

I fill my lungs of air and shout!
The sun shining on my eyes.
I can see half of the world from here.

Ocean is when the world starts turning blue,
while inside a room a boy dies.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!

Does anyone have a clue?
Looking at all the flies
I feel a big cheer.

Feel like everything’s true.
Air lets the clothes dry,
I fill my lungs of air and shout!

All the people really grew
where a little rabbit lies.
Talk to animals, they can hear

even though they only chew
like winning a big prize.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
I can see half of the world from here.


Some with Need
Angela B.

Someone needing help through rough times to help fight,
struggling, and putting the effort all in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.

Their life is erupting like dynamite
never knowing what to do, always clandestine.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.

Always trying to do everything right
hoping that no one will break in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.

Not being in the spotlight,
not wanting to live in sin.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.

Fighting through life like a dogfight,
wanting someone there through thick and thin.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.

Waiting for life to ignite.
When something happens, saying, “Take it on the chin.”
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.

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Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade

Villanelle
Amairany L.

Get in the car
my dad said
as he came from the bar

I was sad
and just bowed my head, as I
got in the car


Villanelle
Andrea S.

It’s time for you to leave me alone.
The day is almost over.
I need to go home.

Your voice is driving me crazy.
She thinks it’s all about her,
leave me alone.

All you do is sit around and be lazy,
leave and move moreover.
I got to go home.

Leave and go with Daisy,
go eat a burger.
Leave me alone.

I want to turn eighty.
You need a haircut with the barber.
I need to go home.

Go and have fun with Healy,
leave me alone you burger.
Please leave me alone,
because I need to go home.


Villanelle
Anthony W.

Take the day into the night.
The fight was not today,
the storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.

Give God thanks for all that’s light.
Because he shined me with his light, he spared me for the day.
Take the day into the night

because the storm was turning bright.
The storm has gone away.
The storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.

The storm has come to play because the sky has not been bright.
We cannot fight the storm’s gray sight, we will dread with great pain.
Take the day into the night.

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Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade

Dream
Karina S.

I feel like I am going to sink.
I want to go to sleep.
My sister is happy and gives a wink.

I am thirsty and I want a drink.
I saw someone who gives me the creeps.
I feel like I am going to sink.

I am working and the dog looks and me and blinks.
I see something that I want to keep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.

My brain hurts and I don’t want to think.
The car behind gives me a beep.
I feel like I am going to sink.

I feel so pink.
I am in Africa in a big Jeep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.

I am so scared I want to shrink.
I fell somewhere deep.
I feel like I am going to sink.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.


Villanelle
Mary B.

You will get through, just be strong.
Try your best, it will be hard
but you will succeed, and be proud.

Follow the right, don’t do what’s wrong.
But remember, you don’t have a bodyguard.
You will get through, just be strong.

It may be cool, but don’t stand in the crowd.
If it’s too hard, make yourself a card
but you will succeed, and be proud.

It will take time, and it may be long.
Go to 600 N. Boulevard.
You will get through, just be strong.

Don’t feel bad that you might not belong.
Keep this well: your self-regard
but you will succeed and be strong.

Behave, succeed, be strong, before long
you will remember, but keep a memoir
but you will succeed, and be strong.
You will get through, just be strong.


Villanelle
Tania A.

The light in the dust is dead.
It grows as days go by.
The rainbow’s color is shed.

The dark comes, I go to bed.
The light goes in the green bay.
The light in the dust is dead.

It is bigger than my head.
It’s aging in the day.
The rainbow’s color is shed.

The cloud is scattered
and I’ll be in my way.
The light in the dust is dead.