Perhaps the simple way I write is wrong.
I search my heart, put pen to page, move on.
By simply writing, can I right all wrongs?
At times I simply wish to share my song
and once it leaves, I feel my work is done:
perhaps the simple way I write is wrong.
I am inspired by simple things, among
the trees, I often stand alone.
By simply writing, can I right all wrongs?
And though a thousand thoughts in maelstrom throng
my mind, this poem remains, alone:
perhaps the simple way I write is wrong.
And I have sought another’s love too long:
what love remains once all that’s fled and gone?
By simply writing, can I right all wrongs?
I think I’ve found a place where I belong
among this field of words, of loves I’ve known:
Perhaps the simple way I write is wrong,
unless, by writing, I can right some wrongs.
© 2021 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
Written for dVerse
Tonight is Open Link Night, and this will be live for the first hour, from 3pm EST. Why not link up and read a poem? Hope to see you there!
Love this, Ingrid! Love the wordplay. Perhaps by writing we may right some wrongs. ❤️
I hope so, Punam! Thank you ❤️
My pleasure. 😊
I enjoyed the simple sentiments expressed in this lovely poem/song. 🙂
Thank you, Hobbo: sometimes it’s best to keep it simple!
It was very good. I really enjoyed it. 😊
The way you write is beautiful and who said the pen is mightier than the sword!
Thank you! 🖊
A delightfully candid and warm hearted piece, Ingrid. Made me smile…
I am glad it did, Scott, thank you 😊
I have found the villanelle to be an extremely difficult form to write well. I’ve only written two that I considered successful, in 15 years of writing, so my I admire what you have done here, especially your choice of anchor line (and title). I might gently suggest that the way you write is awfully fine.
Thank you, Shay, for your kind compliments!
I really loved this… simple yet it circles around the way a good villanelle should. There are elements of both dance and labyrinths here and the double repetition when you read with write and right that unfurled in the last stanza is stunning.
I must have labyrinths on my mind this week! Thank you Björn.
Excellent, Ingrid. This villanelle really flows effortlessly, and the wordplay is wonderful.
Agreed. The wordplay is excellent, Ingrid.
Thank you, Ken!
Thank you, Merril: I had to check the instances of ‘right’ and ‘write’ several times because I kept getting them mixed up 😅
That’s so funny, Ingrid!🤣
Not my favorite form, but you do it justice. I enjoyed the poetic May pole merry-go-round ride.
I never met a Villanelle I couldn’t get on with! I’m pleased you could get away with this one, thank you Glenn!
Nicely done.
Thank you Lisa 😊
You’re welcome.
This is lovely, Ingrid. The villanelle works for the topic beautifully and the rhyming scheme with all the “Ong” words adds a chime like a sort of bell. It’s very musical.
Thank you! It was a challenge having alternate rhymes of ‘ong’ and ‘own’ 😅
Yes, I did a villanelle years ago with similar rhymes. 😅
Do you have it on your blog?
Yes, it’s called The Eagle Gong. I think I submitted it to one of your challenges early this year. 🤔. I will look for it.
I found it. (the villanelle you asked if I had on my blog).. https://outofthecave.blog/2021/01/08/the-eagle-gong/
I remember it now! Did it protect the geese?
No…. sadly. 🙁 It was during a terrible drought and all the animals were doing it tough. The wedge-tailed eagles just picked off all the geese one by one.
😳 sorry to hear that!
I love the villanelle form, and this is a wonderful example.
Thank you kindly – I’m a big fan of these!
This is gorgeously thought-provoking, Ingrid! I especially like; “And though a thousand thoughts in maelstrom throng my mind, this poem remains, alone.”💝💝
Thank you, Sanaa 💕 I am quite fond of those lines too 💕
I love this form and you do it justice here–and of course you know your writing is never wrong! (K)
Thank you, Kerfe! I think the act of writing is never wrong when we try to do good by it.
That’s true.
Simply amazing write, Ingrid! Your own unique voice is strong here! 💞
Thank you, Tricia! I really appreciate that 😊
Perfection. 🤩
😊 David 😊
my favourite of your poems, it was great to hear you read it.
Thank you, Rog! Sometimes the words just fall into place.
That’s so uniquely written. You played it well! I really loved the main line – Perhaps the simple way I write is wrong.
Thank you so much! That line came to me first, and I thought it might weave nicely in a villanelle.
Ohh Yeahh It did really ❤
Do you use Facebook? Our fellow blogger, Harman (https://myserenewords.wordpress.com/) started a Facebook group for bloggers to communicate with each other and share your writing with the feedback. You can join us as well here – https://www.facebook.com/groups/mswwritersclub
Thanks so much for the invite! I’ve just come off Facebook because I feel it’s too invasive of my privacy!
The same I didn’t use Facebook until this group! It’s reasonable!
But I need such connections now for my blog, so I joined there. But I don’t know for how long! Because I feel unsafe too!
Anyways, hope to see you around! 🙂
That is so good!
Thank you Vinny!
Love nod to Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art,” at least in the flower-shade of the same conundrum. What else can we do but write it? And how much has the world or love or both changed? Almost none IMO; but we are dancers of the word and our labyrinths are the worlds we must sing. You put it plainly and care for it sweetly. With a mother’s care.
Thank you for these kind and thoughtful words, Brendan.
A thought-full villanelle. We process through writing and yes, try to write and right our wrongs.
It was complicated to write down with all those homophones! Thank you Mary.
A great one, Ingrid! very clever 🙂
Thank you Jay!
Self-critic exposed in a way that shows self-discovery and mastery. I love this! The vulnerability and artistry employed is captivating. ❤
Thank you Michele, I’m glad you appreciate it ❤️
Love the rhythm in your Villanelle. And these lines in particular: ‘And though a thousand thoughts in maelstrom throng
my mind, this poem remains, alone:’ And, of course, no it’s not!
Thank you so much, Marion!
Villanelles are close to my heart in form poetry, and this is an exquisite one, because of the skill you have displayed in assembly, but also because your choice of repeating phrases is so spot on. It echoes itself just as it should, yet also prompts the subtle changes it needs to work faultlessly. The content is as seamless and right as the execution. A fine poem.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it 😊
I think I’ve found a place where I belong
among this field of words, of loves I’ve known
Words are powerful and can do a lot of good or harm depending on how they are used! Well done Ingrid.
Very true Dwight, thank you!
:>)
You write right!
Or do I right write?
I listened to you read this last night Ingrid. I think the Villanelle is a perfect form for those questions and answers that we present to ourselves. This flowed beautifully a d I enjoyed it very much. One of these Thursday OLNs I will hopefully be able to participate. Scheduling is difficult for me right now but I would love to be part of it. ☺️💕
It would be nice to see you if you can make it! Thanks Christine 😊
Well done in this intricate form. I think you write just fine. Enjoyed reading and as well hearing you read this poem.
Happy you dropped by my blog
Much💖love
This poem is beautiful, Ingrid. And you read it so well. I love the line about the maelstrom. And I believe by writing you can right some wrongs because it promotes understanding. So many misunderstandings can be resolved through honest communication and just voicing one’s truth. As a wordsmith, you can put into words what someone else can’t, someone who struggles with words.
And your son’s poem was so cute! Though I personally avoid Blackpool if I can help it! 😂
Yours simple way of writing is excellent
Thank you 🙏
Beautiful Ingrid!
“At times I simply wish to share my song
and once it leaves, I feel my work is done:
perhaps the simple way I write is wrong.
I am inspired by simple things, among
the trees, I often stand alone.
By simply writing, can I right all wrongs?”
I think your reflections linger in hearts and minds with food for thought righting wrongs. nicely done🙏❣️
Thanks Cindy 😊❤️😊
pleasure!💖💖💖
Clever, beautiful, and meaningful. Whatever we do, whatever we write, reveals a part of us. it is good to read something written by a person with good intentions. It lifts us up above the petty annoyances of life. Thank you, Ingrid! <3
It is my pleasure, Cheryl, if my words can do that ❤️
Wow oh wow. Sooooooo talented.
Get out of my head, Ingrid! This poem hit a sweet spot inside of me. That last stanza was the perfect ending.
But right before it: “And I have sought another’s love too long” is an arrow. Maybe writing will save the day. I’ve thought that very thought so many times.
I really appreciate your gift. A constant delight and surprise.
Thank you for your kind words, Andrew 🙏
(I think I accidentally deleted my last comment so I’ll do it again!)
This poem hit a sweet spot with me. I really appreciate your talent. Your work is educated, moving, delightful, and often surprising.
The last stanza sums the whole perfectly. But the stanza immediately preceding that one–“And I have sought another’s love too long” pierced like an arrow. Perhaps writing can save me, save us, save the damn day. I’ve often thought these very things but you have said it so eloquently.