Galilee {a villanelle}

~ Sophie DiNola

The gulls are fighting over clams in cakes.
Among the yawning cracks of rocks, we walk
as delicate as dreams when one awakes.

Chowder in our bellies, stomach aches,
we’re locals who will want to stroll and talk.
The gulls are fighting over clams in cakes.

We watch the widowed, white-capped wave that breaks.
At Galilee extends an arm of rock
as delicate as dreams when one awakes.

A cloud of witnesses surrounds us now and takes
some photos of the greedy, gathered flock.
The gulls are fighting over clams in cakes.

The bolder the gulls become, the fewer mistakes,
taking possession, eyes like steel and chalk,
as delicate as dreams when one awakes.

Crumbs of pity, for orphaned gulls’ sakes,
are tossed by innocent tourists. We locals mock.
The gulls are fighting over clams in cakes
as delicate as dreams when one awakes.

{This is my first attempt at a villanelle. It was inspired by a memory of feeding clam cakes to seagulls at Galilee, in Rhode Island, my home state.

It was also inspired by a recent reading of Psalm 73 (which I believe to be a beautiful Psalm, and which is one of my favorites, despite its imprecatory tone).

Finally, it was indirectly inspired by one of my favorite stories from childhood—Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach.

I am linking to dVerse for their monthly form challenge.}

Published by Sophie DiNola

I love classics, poetry, vintage paperbacks, and library book sales.

13 thoughts on “Galilee {a villanelle}”

  4. Congrats on your first villanelle. This is a worthy effort and I admire canvas you have painted with the greedy gulls fighting over clams in cakes, which I can see is also a good metaphor. As a flock the gulls can be bothersome. Also liking your description of:
    eyes like steel and chalk.

    Thanks for participating in our Villanelle poetry form challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. I love the imagery in this villanelle. You had me at “Among the yawning cracks of rocks, we walk
    as delicate as dreams when one awakes.” This imparted instant memories of carefully balancing on wet rocks — mixed with the regrets of how easily bold important dreams can slide from consciousness. Beautifully written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Such great imagery here. There’s something about this poem that really calls to me – the observation of the gulls and the sea. Your repeat lines are incorporated really well, and the form seems really natural, a part of the poetry, not subsuming the poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment