There is someone outside the door.
Through the glass I see him pace.
The haunting dream I want no more.
His threats are harsh, “Open the door!
Or you shall know the worst disgrace!”
There is someone outside the door.
Are the threats real, or is he just a bore?
Quick, the door I’ll bolt. Just in case.
The haunting dream I want no more.
It won’t shut! I can’t bolt the blasted door!
He’ll get us now, I know. No hiding place.
There is someone outside the door!
The door remains ajar. We’re done for!
For us there is no breathing space.
The haunting dream I want no more.
At times, the wartime blood and gore
my sleep envelops in a black embrace.
There is someone outside the door.
The haunting dream I want no more.
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The villanelle consists of five stanzas of three lines (tercets) followed by a single stanza of four lines (a quatrain) for a total of nineteen lines.[21] It is structured by two repeating rhymes and two refrains: the first line of the first stanza serves as the last line of the second and fourth stanzas, and the third line of the first stanza serves as the last line of the third and fifth stanzas.[21] The rhyme pattern is: aba aba aba aba aba abaa. (Found on Google)
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Copyright © 2014 Irina Dimitric
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Irina's Poetry Corner 
Villanelle… what a nice word! And what a beautiful poem! ♥
Thanks, Frederic. I’m glad you like like it. I found on Google why the form’s name is French:
The fixed-form villanelle, containing the nineteen-line dual-refrain, derives from Jean Passerat’s poem “Villanelle (J’ay perdu ma Tourterelle)”, published in 1606.. (Wikipedia)
For me, this was mixed. It’s scary and yet some of the rhyming choices cast a whimsical tone. “Bore” was one of the words that took me out of the frightening element. Because you bring in war at the end, I’d rather see the entire poem haunting without the lightness.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Susan. I can see your point, yet I was retelling what actually happens in my nightmares. I’m not always sure that the presence behind the door is malevolent or benevolent. The actual event that sparked this recurrent nightmare was frightening, but dreams process real events in a whimsical way. I have written a story about the real event, not published yet. Having said that, I’ll try to take the lightness out of the poem to see if I like it better.
I’m always most appreciative of your comments. Thank you, Susan. 🙂
The threats are waiting beyond the door… Powerful poem and love the metaphors you have used. The ending lines speak out loud, too. Best wishes to you, dear Irina ⭐
Aquileana 😀
Thanks for dropping by, dear Aquileana. I appreciate your feedback. Hugs 🙂 Irina
Wow, Irina. This is haunting. Great job!
Thanks, Pam. I’m glad you like it.