(Hopefully) 1 Poem a week for 52 weeks |
Barley Blades Barley blades beneath the sun do lie Full swollen by the summer's warmth and rain Their long golden ears softly stroke the sky Sharp knives announce that now Sir John must die Whence only a stubbled field shall then remain Barley blades beneath the sun do lie In dying do our many needs supply Through long winter's night shall our lives sustain Their long golden ears softly stroke the sky Before the full harvest moon rises high We see these once proud stalks have fallen slain Barley blades beneath the sun do lie Though it is au revoir and not goodbye In early spring pale shoots shall rise again Their long golden ears softly stroke the sky Whiskey, beer and bread we are pleased to buy Full ripe children of this most pleasant grain Barley blades beneath the sun do lie Their long golden ears softly stroke the sky This poem is a Villanelle, and follows the following form: Refrain 1 (A1) Line 2 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 4 (a) Line 5 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Line 7 (a) Line 8 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 10 (a) Line 11 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Line 13 (a) Line 14 (b) Refrain 2 (A2) Line 16 (a) Line 17 (b) Refrain 1 (A1) Refrain 2 (A2) Total lines: 19. Each line has ten syllables |