WoPoLi

Conceptualist Villanelle

The Villain Elle of the Wisps

The evening folds into wisps of light,
I trace the wisps that once claimed the skies,
And morning bends them out of sight,
As a wisp falters where the sky is bright,

The words I speak now dim before my eyes,
The evening folds into wisps of light.
The river sings a tune I can’t recite,
The trees recall a dream I cannot prize,

And morning bends me out of sight.
I hold your face; its features shift at night,
The song of the river fades as memory denies,
The evening folds into wisps of light.

The candle burns, but flickers lose their might,
Each wisp dissolves, the meanings lie,
And morning bends you out of sight.
Yet still I write, though lines escape my fight,

New shapes emerge where old refrains die,
The evening folds into wisps of light,
And morning bends out of sight.

The Villain Elle of the Wisps employs initial repetition that aligns with the traditional villanelle form: lines 1 and 3 recur. Gradual alteration occurs as shifts in imagery, verbs, and emotional tone subtly change the repeated lines. This mirrors Prigov’s poetic strategy: starting from strict repetition, then slowly eroding or transforming linguistic and mnemonic structures, creating a change in meaning rather than a fixed memory.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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