1. villanelle

2. The Waking, by Theodore Roethke I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. I learn by going where I have to go. We think by feeling. What is there to know? I hear my being dance from ear to ear. I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. Of those so close beside me, which are you? God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there, And learn by going where I have to go. Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how? The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair; I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. Great Nature has another thing to do To you and me; so take the lively air, And, lovely, learn by going where to go. This shaking keeps me steady. I should know. What falls away is always. And is near. I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go.

3. Ted Hughes & Sylvia Plath

4. Sylvia Plath’s autobiographical novel Gwynneth Paltrow played her in the movie Sylvia Julia Stiles plays her in the movie version of the novel.

5. Mad Girl’s Love Song, by Sylvia Plath " I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; I lift my lids and all is born again. (I think I made you up inside my head.) The stars go waltzing out in blue and red, And arbitrary blackness gallops in: I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane. (I think I made you up inside my head.) God topples from the sky, hell's fires fade: Exit seraphim and Satan's men: I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. I fancied you'd return the way you said, But I grow old and I forget your name. (I think I made you up inside my head.) I should have loved a thunderbird instead; At least when spring comes they roar back again. I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. (I think I made you up inside my head.)"

6. Spilled It's not the liquid spreading on the floor, A half a minute's labor with the mop; It's everything you've ever spilled, and more. The stupid broken spout that wouldn't pour; The nasty little salesman in the shop. It's not the liquid spreading on the floor, A stain perhaps, a new, unwelcome chore, But scarcely cause for sobs that will not stop. It's everything you've ever spilled, and more. It's the disease for which there is no cure, The starving child, the taunting brutal cop. It's not the liquid spreading on the floor But through a planet, rotten to the core, Where things grow old, get soiled, snap off, or drop. It's everything you've ever spilled, and more: The vision of yourself you can't ignore, Poor wretched extra clinging to a prop! It's not the liquid spreading on the floor. It's everything you've ever spilled, and more. --Bruce Bennett

7. The Stalker's Villanelle She doesn't realize that she is dead. Remembering the ring, the vows we swore, I follow her like something left unsaid. She drives the car I gave her when we wed. She grips a steering wheel I've gripped before. She doesn't realize that she is dead. She's stepping from the car—her legs, her head! Watching her stroll into the grocery store, I follow her like something left unsaid. She flicks her hair, just as she would in bed When she'd make love as if it were a chore. She doesn't realize that she is dead. These strangers can't discern the life she's led. They see a charming smile; I see a whore And follow her like something left unsaid. She surely feels her whole life lies ahead As she steps briskly through the exit door. She doesn't realize that she is dead. I follow her like something left unsaid. --Jeff Holt

8. Vows In sickness or in health, I cherish life with you, in poverty or wealth. Our hearts were linked and locked while still so young and bold, in sickness and in health In harmony we sweetly dwell; it’s one for all and all for one, in poverty or wealth. Together we’re strong, apart we’re weak, divided we never shall be, in sickness or in health. With open minds and open hearts We work and play and talk and laugh, In poverty or wealth. Our steadfast love, our peaceful life is now and evermore shall be, in sickness and in health in poverty and wealth.

9. Looking back, it’s all too clear in the things I do, the things I say regret is my one real fear. Time’s I’ve had, good and bad-- No thanks, no blame on luck. Looking back, that’s all too clear. In words I speak, thoughts I think, tales I write, and the life I lead-- Regret is my one real fear. I am who I am Because of who I’ve been. Looking back, it’s all too clear. No excuses for my choices. My intentions are clear. Regret my only fear. I say what I mean; I do what I say. I love the life I’ve chosen. Looking back, it’s all too clear, Regret is my one real fear. One Life to Live

10. Villanelle Format A1 (refrain) b A2 (refrain) a b A1 (refrain) a b A2 (refrain) a b A1 (refrain) a b A2 (refrain) a b A1 A2 (refrain)