Lily takes the dog for a walk – a villanelle

Lily takes the dog for a walk.
It’s January and there is snow.
The neighbour screams and drops her fork.

“For dinner we are having pork.”
‘Yes, Mum. I’ll be back in a mo!’
Lily takes the dog for a walk.

The icy street is white as chalk.
‘Come, Joe,’ Lily says, ‘here we go!’
The neighbour screams and drops her fork.

A ginger cat chases a hawk.
‘Stop it, Joe! There’s no need to tow!’
Lily takes the dog for a walk.

Yellow lorry brakes ‘n two eyes gawk.
In the snow lies a purple bow.
The neighbour screams and drops her fork.

The lorry driver starts to talk.
“I didn’t see her! I didn’t know!”
Lily takes the dog for a walk.
The neighbour screams and drops her fork.



I wrote this villanelle for a Creative Writing course at Birmingham City University two years ago. I have to admit that some rhyme is slightly forced, but I am still quite happy with the result.