A villanelle for DVerse
Praise God for roses in the pouring rain,
Which under gray skies their bright colors show,
They are a bit of beauty in the pain.
They have a strength impossible to feign,
A happy countenance, a peaceful glow:
Praise God for roses in the pouring rain.
Allowing not the raging storm to stain
Their hope, perseverance is what they know:
They are a bit of beauty in the pain.
The beating raindrops do not cause a drain
Of stamina; their roots fight ‘gainst the foe,
And help the roses in the pouring rain.
They stay and fight, and do not fight in vain,
They will survive and then the rain will go.
They will retain their beauty in the pain.
Soft petals are still strong — do not disdain
Their life nor gifts, which they wait to bestow:
Praise God for roses in the pouring rain,
They are a bit of beauty in the pain.
revivedwriter 
This poem is a rose in the pouring rain. I just lost a friend to cancer, and I’ve taken it pretty hard—perhaps because we were the same age, or perhaps because the Lord took her home only a few days after the diagnosis, so there was not time to process it all. I don’t know. But your poem was at the top of the list in Reader this morning, and it was just what I needed. Thank you, Jenna.
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I’m so sorry about your sudden loss. What a compliment to know that this poem helped you. Prayers for you!
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Thank you!
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I love the way you capture the strength of something apparently so fragile. The villanelle repetitions are done so well, and your use of enjambment is excellent – it gives the whole poem a really natural flow.
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Such beautiful and strong roses in the rain. They will survive indeed – an amazing metaphor for someone strong and resilient.
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Your first line is truly wonderful. How great that you get to repeat it throughout the poem – as if the speaker reminds herself of that piece of reassurance.
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I love the way you have used the refrains… goes back to the villanelle as something to be sung I think
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A poem that has a healing and calming effect to it. I enjoyed the read
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This is so beautiful, both in form and content! And so true. Very well written. ❤
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There is beauty in the rose that can withstand the rain. Sorry for your lost
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It’s true how emotional pain can be relieved by a spot of beauty, even in the rain. Well done!
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