Dylan Thomas' villanelle, "Invalid Item" , is a rare example of an English-language villanelle.

Villanelles originate in Italy. The name comes from villano, which means peasant. They are rustic songs. In France the term was used to describe poems of the late 16th century which followed a free style. Later an extremely popular villanelle by the poet, Jean Passerat {d.1602}, accidently became the format adhered to from that time onward.

The villanelle was revivied in the 19th century by Philoxene Boyer and J. Boulmier.

English exponants of the art include: W. E. Henley; Austin Dobson; Andrew Lang, and Edmund Goose. Dobson and Henley were particularly known for writing humorous villanelles. Have a look at, "Invalid Item" 

The format is as follows:

Five tercets and a final quatrain.

Usually seven syllables per line, although this rule is not as strictly adhered to as the rhyming and stanza schemes.

The rhyming scheme is, aba aba aba...abaa.

Lines 1 and 3 are repeated as the last lines of alternate stanzas.

Lines 2 and 3 are repeated consecutively as the final lines of the final quatrain.


There is also something called the double villanelle which is made up of six line stanzas followed by a final eight line stanza.

If you haven't quite got that, read the examples in this folder, including my own attempt, "Invalid Item" . I am afraid, neither, Dylan Thomas not I have stuck to the seven syllable rule. I may try this extra restriction in a future attempt.