Taking the PPC4 - 52 Weeks of Poetry

Prompt 7 (11th September 2023)

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