A Villanelle is a 19-line poem in stanzas of 3. The first and third lines are the last lines of alternating stanzas and the last two lines of the final stanza. This is my first attempt at a villanelle.
Christmas Villanelle
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Woe is me— by my sin I am undone!
Emmanuel God with us how could this be?
Behold Yahweh on His throne in majesty!
I have unclean lips and so does everyone!
Holy Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Man’s evil heart— God’s all-knowing eyes see,
Yet I hear that He has given us His Son.
Emmanuel God with us how could this be?
I can still hear the angelic harmony
To the Lord the only Righteous One.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!”
But now the angels sing to Shepherds lowly
“Good news of great joy for everyone!”
Emmanuel God with us how could this be?
The Shepherds run to see the Baby
And there in the manger lies God’s own Son
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty!
Emmanuel God with us how could this be?