Like a glass of Champagne. (Villanelle)

by Steven Beesley

The pleasure that true love can bring
It can also bring such hurt and pain
To your heart it will cling

Just like a bird on a wing
Emotions so difficult to contain
The pleasure that true love can bring

It is such a sweet thing
Feels so right, must not abstain
To your heart it will cling

It can hit you like a bee sting
Lovely, like a glass of cool champagne
The pleasure that true love can bring

Feel like a puppet on a string
Willingly I wear this ball and chain
To your heart it will cling

Just one kiss, feels like the spring
Forever you wish it will sustain
The pleasure that true love can bring
To your heart it will cling

Villanelle:
French poetry form created by Jean Passerate [1534-1602]. There are a total of 6 stanzas. The first 5 stanza comprise of 3 lines each. The last stanza comprises 4 lines.

The 1st and 3rd line of the first stanza takes turns repeating as the final line in the following stanzas, and are then rejoined as the last 2 lines in the final stanza.

The rhyme scheme is ABA throughout, except in the final stanza.