A couple years ago, I was in a fantastic creative writing class. College was full of endless wondering if any of it was ultimately worthwhile, but occasionally I’d end up in a class that, grades be damned, made me just want to learn something interesting. I’ve carried those classes with me ever since.

This one in particular focused almost entirely on poetry (my main reason for signing up in the first place) and I quickly found myself being pushed to rediscover my passion. To take what I knew so well and be challenged to do better…which is exactly what I did. The professor, a laid-back hippie-type who gave constructive criticism in such a way that didn’t sting at all, presented us with new forms of poetry every session that we were encouraged to try our hand at.

This poem (Battle) is an example of a pantoum (similar to a villanelle mostly in that there are repeating lines), and, while another much-less-structured version exists at the moment, I quite like this one as well. They serve different purposes. There’s a slow build to this one that can’t be recreated without this particular structure. Though the other version fits my style, I think this one deserves some credit too. I hope you enjoy it.

Battle

Unravel me until I’m vulnerable and exposed.
When all’s been said, I’ll come undone.
You’ve already triumphed in a battle unopposed.
It’s you I won’t fight; can’t outrun. 

When all’s been said, I’ll come undone.
Your words are weapons; cut and thrown.
It’s you I won’t fight; can’t outrun.
Your swords, your might, your stone. 

Your words are weapons; cut and thrown.
My hands are tied behind my bleeding back.
Your swords, your might, your stone.
With ammo I left for the taking, you attack.

My hands are tied behind my bleeding back.
Scalding fury and unrelenting fire.
With ammo I left for the taking, you attack. 
Your Trojan horse calls you a liar. 

Scalding fury and unrelenting fire.
Hit me, hurt me, laugh in your victory.
Your Trojan horse calls you a liar. 
I know you’ve been rewriting our history.