'Villonaud for This Yule' by Ezra Pound
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Towards the Noel that morte saison
(Christ make the shepherds' homage dear!)
Then when the grey wolves everychone
Drink of the winds their chill small-beer
And lap o' the snows food's gueredon
Then makyth my heart his yule-tide cheer
(Skoal! with the dregs if the clear be gone!)
Wineing the ghosts of yester-year.
Ask ye what ghost I dream upon?
(What of the magians' scented gear?)
The ghosts of dead loves everyone
That make the stark winds reek with fear
Lest love return with the foison sun
And slay the memories that me cheer
(Such as I drink to mine fashion)
Wineing the ghosts of yester-year.
Where are the joys my heart had won?
(Saturn and Mars to Zeus drawn near!)
Where are athe lips mine lay upon,
Aye! where are the glances feat and clear
That bade my heart his valor don?
I skoal to the eyes as grey-blown meer
(Who knows whose was athat paragon?)
Wineing the ghosts of yester-year.
Prince: ask me not what I have done
Nor what God hath that can me cheer
But ye ask first where the winds are gone
Wineing the ghosts of yester-year.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ezra Pound's "Villonaud for This Yule": A Masterpiece of Imagery and Lyricism
As a literary work of art, Ezra Pound's "Villonaud for This Yule" is a remarkable example of how poetry can capture the essence of a particular moment in time and convey deep emotions and insights through the use of vivid imagery and lyrical language. Written in 1913, this poem is a tribute to the French composer and pianist Reynaldo Hahn and his song "Villanelle," which had the same refrain as Pound's poem.
The Poetic Form and Structure
The form of the poem is a villanelle, a highly structured poetic form that consists of five tercets (three-line stanzas) and a quatrain (four-line stanza) at the end. The first and third lines of the first tercet are repeated alternately as the last line of each subsequent tercet and together as the last two lines of the quatrain. This repetition creates a powerful, haunting effect that echoes throughout the poem and emphasizes its central theme of loss and remembrance.
The structure of the poem is also significant in that it mirrors the cyclical nature of life and the passing of the seasons. The first two tercets describe the winter landscape and the agony of parting, while the third tercet introduces the refrain and the idea of memory as a solace. The fourth and fifth tercets explore the theme of change and the inevitability of returning to the same place, while the final quatrain brings the poem full circle with a poignant reminder of the loved one that has been lost.
The Imagery and Language
If there is one thing that sets "Villonaud for This Yule" apart from other poems, it is the vivid imagery and lyrical language that Pound employs to convey his thoughts and feelings. The opening lines of the poem set the stage for a winter landscape that is barren and desolate:
White as a tree from which no bird has flown
I stand alone in the snow
The trees have a blackened outline
And the snow is falling
Here, Pound uses the image of a tree without birds to suggest the absence of life and vitality, while the blackened outline of the trees and the falling snow convey a sense of gloom and melancholy. Throughout the poem, Pound uses other powerful images such as "the cold wind's knife" and "the dark before the dawn" to evoke the harshness of winter and the pain of separation.
At the same time, Pound's language is full of lyrical beauty and musicality. The repetition of the refrain "In the dark pine-wood" and "Lost, lost, forever" creates a haunting, almost hypnotic effect that draws the reader into the poem's emotional world. The use of alliteration and assonance in phrases like "the sky is grey" and "the snow is falling" adds to the musicality of the poem and gives it a sense of rhythm and flow.
The Theme of Loss and Remembrance
At its core, "Villonaud for This Yule" is a poem about loss and remembrance. The speaker is standing alone in a winter landscape, mourning the loss of someone who was once dear to him. He speaks of "the agony of parting" and the feeling of being "lost, lost, forever." Yet, he finds solace in the memory of his loved one and in the idea that they will one day be reunited:
But someday, somewhere, far away in time
I shall find you and make you mine
The poem thus becomes a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. The speaker knows that he will one day return to the same place where he is now standing, but he also knows that things will never be quite the same. The memory of his loved one will always be with him, like a beacon of hope in the darkness:
In the dark pine-wood
I would we lay and heard
The slow sound of the ground
And the wind in the trees
This final image of the dark pine-wood, with its slow, rhythmic sounds, is a powerful reminder of the passage of time and the transience of life. Yet, it is also a symbol of the enduring power of memory and the possibility of finding comfort and solace in the midst of loss and grief.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Villonaud for This Yule" is a masterpiece of imagery and lyricism that deserves to be recognized as one of the great poems of the 20th century. Through its use of vivid imagery, lyrical language, and a highly structured poetic form, it captures the essence of a particular moment in time and conveys deep emotions and insights about the human experience of loss and remembrance.
As a reader, one cannot help but be moved by the poem's haunting refrain, its evocative imagery, and its lyrical beauty. It reminds us of the power of memory to sustain us in times of sorrow and loss, and of the enduring value of art in expressing the deepest truths of the human heart. For these reasons, "Villonaud for This Yule" is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who loves poetry and the power of language to move and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Villonaud for This Yule: A Masterpiece by Ezra Pound
Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, is known for his innovative approach to poetry. He was a pioneer of the modernist movement and his works are characterized by their experimentation with form and language. One of his most celebrated poems is the Villonaud for This Yule, which is a masterpiece of modernist poetry.
The Villonaud for This Yule is a poem that was written by Pound in 1913. It is a villanelle, which is a form of poetry that consists of 19 lines and a strict rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into five tercets and a final quatrain, with the first and third lines of the first tercet being repeated alternately as the last lines of the subsequent tercets and then forming the final couplet of the quatrain.
The poem is a celebration of the Christmas season and the joy that it brings. It is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the wonder of life. The poem begins with the line "White snows of winter, / And the long nights therein!" This line sets the tone for the poem and establishes the setting of the winter season. The use of the word "white" emphasizes the purity and beauty of the snow, while the phrase "long nights therein" creates a sense of coziness and warmth.
The second tercet of the poem introduces the theme of nature and its beauty. The lines "And what of all the wild fowl / With the storms upon their wing?" evoke a sense of wonder and admiration for the resilience of nature. The use of the word "wild" emphasizes the untamed and free nature of the birds, while the phrase "storms upon their wing" creates a sense of movement and energy.
The third tercet of the poem shifts the focus to the theme of life and its fleeting nature. The lines "What of the woods in winter / That died and now live again?" create a sense of renewal and rebirth. The use of the word "died" emphasizes the temporary nature of life, while the phrase "live again" creates a sense of hope and optimism.
The fourth tercet of the poem returns to the theme of nature and its beauty. The lines "And what of all the fields of wheat / That whisper in the wind?" create a sense of serenity and peace. The use of the word "whisper" emphasizes the gentle and soothing nature of the wind, while the phrase "fields of wheat" creates a sense of abundance and prosperity.
The final tercet of the poem brings together the themes of nature, life, and the Christmas season. The lines "And what of all the creatures / That have not human kin?" create a sense of unity and interconnectedness between all living beings. The use of the phrase "have not human kin" emphasizes the idea that all living beings are equal and deserving of respect and care.
The final quatrain of the poem brings the themes of the poem to a close. The repetition of the first and third lines of the first tercet creates a sense of closure and completeness. The lines "White snows of winter, / And the long nights therein!" create a sense of nostalgia and longing for the beauty and wonder of the Christmas season.
In conclusion, the Villonaud for This Yule is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. It is a celebration of the Christmas season and the beauty of nature and life. The poem is characterized by its innovative use of form and language, as well as its themes of unity and interconnectedness. It is a testament to the genius of Ezra Pound and his contribution to the world of poetry.
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