Villanelle: Chiaroscuro

For BYUI's Last Poet Standing

Week three: Villanelle format.

Adapted from my earlier work, "In her hands she holds the sun"

Chiaroscuro*

She is the wretched, hopeful one

full of darkness and of light.

In her hands she holds the sun.

She is manic, her dress sunspun

golden silk is gleaming bright.

She is the wretched, hopeful one.

In summer’s Eden she will run

but shadows creep into her sight.

In her hands she holds the sun.

The sorrow comes, her heart undone

it does no good to stand and fight

She is the wretched, hopeful one

She looks for allies and finds none

alone and lost in darkened night.

In her hands she holds the sun.

It seems now the dark has won

but she shines forth flame alight. 

She is the wretched, hopeful one,

in her hands she holds the sun.

*An italian term used in painting meaning "light and shadow"