After reading Kathy Riordan's beautiful poem today, I was inspired to go back to my college days and take a shot at it:

I Thought I Could Remember How to Write a Villanelle

I thought I could remember how to write a villanelle

The bird perched on top of the red dying leaf

Looks forward and listens as if he can tell

That I do not remember how to conquer this swell

Form that can frustrate so and bring on fits of grief

I thought I could remember how to write a villanelle!

Wind whispers to Canada geese as they yell

And fill up the sky for a moment, then each

Looks forward and listens as if he can tell

Just what he'll find in the neighboring cell

Of suburbia soccer field, meadow or beach

I thought I could remember how to write a villanelle. 

It's only Saturday but I hear a church bell

Ring as a squirrel, while holding the pit of a peach,

Looks forward and listens as if he can tell 

That through my brain like a bat out of hell

Run the words that repeat on the page within reach: 

 "I thought I could remember how to write a villanelle.

Looks forward and listens as if he can tell." 

Join the train:  post your villanelle for the weekend OSers to enjoy. . .it's like brain exercise. . .