January Rain #poetry

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.

33 thoughts on “January Rain #poetry

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  1. 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!

  2. 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”.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. ❄

  5. 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
    . ❤️

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