Soft falls the mournful January rain
like snowmelt in the solitary heart
while we wait for the thaw of spring in vain.
This heart’s iced-over like the Snow Queen’s child
no chink or salt-crack can yet penetrate:
Soft falls the mournful January rain.
A dulness permeates this winter-mind
spreads tumour-like though winter-body blind
while we wait for the thaw of spring in vain.
A painful song to hear, and leaden hard
heart-pounding bass tone with a dirge-like thud:
Soft falls the mournful January rain.
And yet in such a season we begin
to reimagine life, sow seeds of joy
while we wait for the thaw of spring in vain.
I plant a germ of hope in fertile soil
now covered over with the shelt’ring earth:
Soft falls the mournful January rain;
do we wait for the thaw of spring in vain?
© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
This villanelle was written in preparation for the first EIF Poetry Challenge of the New Year. I am sharing with Earthweal’s Open Link Weekend. NB this is an adapted villanelle, as I have not followed the strict rhyming scheme of the traditional form.
Lovely poem, Ingrid, absolutely love it✨
Thank you for your kind words, Rishika!
I think I just shivered!
Wondrous imagery, and a wonderful Villanelle… I’ve only ever done a couple… they are harder than they look…
https://youtu.be/9UzvVOy0Dq8
A poem of hope. I loved the imagery in the fourth stanza.
Yes I had to put that in otherwise it would have been way too depressing!
Well, now I’m kinda sad… 🙁
(but mostly because I too wonder if the waiting is in vain)
-David
Yes, I was in a bit of a melancholic mood when I wrote this!
Winter can seem endless. But the light is returning. (K)
Slowly, it is!
Beautiful work!
Thank you 😊
Vivid imagery! Melancholy mood ends with the planting of seeds and hope for the coming of spring! Beautiful. Ingrid!
Spring will be here soon and all of our hopes for this year may bloom! <3
Thank you, Cheryl! I hope they will too 🌺
I’m glad you added the hopeful stanza. Winter is wonderful and everything, but we need to know what it won’t last for ever.
Definitely!
I love “Like snowmelt in the solitary heart.” Beautiful. And “I plant a germ of hope in fertile soil.” Yes, now is the time to plant hope!
🙏
I am re-inspired to dabble in villanelles again after reading this magical and lyrical piece! Love the title and the line “Soft falls the mournful January rain”.
Thank you, Jaya: I didn’t stick to the rhyme scheme but I’ve written another which does so I’ll post that tomorrow.
So lovely!
Thank you 😊
Wow, beautiful lines, Ingrid! Seeds are never sowed in vain, even if it’s January🙏🏼😊
Thank you 💫
I like your villanelle very much, particuarly “Soft falls the mournful January rain.” And of course the mention a a favorite childhood fairy tale makes it even better.
Thank you, Liz. I didn’t follow the rhyme scheme for this one, but I have another to post tomorrow which follows the rules!
A time to draw inward, reflect, and hope, as you describe. I felt like I was experiencing the January rain and the wintery scene in your photo as I read your expressive poem. ❄
Thank you, Michele!
This made me yearn for the thawing of spring as I read your poem while i could relax knowing we will have the gift of the rain. it’s raining here today so it was perfect to read today Ingrid
. ❤️
It’s been cloudy/raining/snowing here for around 6 weeks. But the rain keeps the grass green and I am grateful for it!
oh wow, yes green is a bonus!! ❤️👏👏👏