(I was inspired by Trevor Alexander's excellent villanelle explaining the form to write in this song why I dislike it so much)

 

 I swore I’d never write a villanelle

A complex form which fails to satisfy

But mostly awkward on the ears as well.

 

The 2nd line deceitfully foretells

A further line to rhyme along with “I”

But bugger me! Not in a villanelle.

 

Yet still this fruitless expectation dwells

The verses come and go and pass you by

Remaining awkward on the ears as well.

 

And so you try still harder to dispel

“For God’s sake let it rhyme!” you’d hear me cry

That’s why I’d never write a villanelle.

 

But no! this clumsy form will just propel

Its onward dirge; no matter that you try

To hear the middle rhyme resolve as well.

 

For tired forms it has no parallel

I’ll shun the bloody structure, which is why

I swore I’d never write a villanelle

It’s awkward on the page and ears as well.