The Villonnet was created by D. Allen Jenkins.

A Villonnet is a hybrid of the Villanelle and the Sonnet. It has the Iambic Pentameter of both, but holds the four-stanza/line structure of the sonnet, while utilizing the two-line rhyme nature of the villanelle. The final stanza replaces the sonnet couplet with a typical villanelle tercet.

Example #1:

The Master Card

In simple terms, simplicity is hard 
to master when sophistication reigns; 
to gain your ease amid the pressures bought 
on time revolving in a plastic card.

But leave the task to some aspiring bard 
who doesn’t have the wits to fear the chore 
of using rhymes and metered lines to say 
in simple terms, simplicity is hard.

The pace by which we live is a canard, 
and faster does not always better make; 
and lateness sometimes comes from trying to stay
on time revolving in a plastic card. 

In simple terms, simplicity is hard
when punching simple numbers places life 
on time revolving in a plastic card.

Copyright © 2005 D. Allen Jenkins

Example #2:

American Express(ion of faith)

I often use American Express—
especially if ordering Chinese, 
and I am in a hurry to check out;
convenience is a god that I confess

I’ll call on when I’m under high duress.
So many things within my day are slow 
to come about, and so to bring some haste,
I often use American Express

which expedites the matter, more or less,
to meet my expectations and desires.
And thus, I must again to you confirm
convenience is a god that I confess.

I often use American Express
and will affirm this article of faith:
Convenience is a god- that I confess.

Copyright © 2005 D. Allen Jenkins

Example #3:

1274554721 (In Memorial)

In simple terms, simplicity is hard 
to master when sophistication reigns; 
to gain your ease amid the pressures bought 
I have no sense of what this day must mean
for those who long ago endured the pain
of tyranny, and yet survived to tell
this younger generation of the scenes

their youthful minds have never known, or seen,
or yet conceived, except through celluloid
of black and white; my heart can only sigh—
I have no sense of what this day must mean.

Remember this we must! lest we be weaned 
from history’s sour milk, and start to feign 
the lie as truth. Do not forsake to teach
this younger generation of the scenes. 

I have no sense of what this day must mean
to those whose fleshy numbers still remind
this younger generation of the scenes.

Copyright © 2005 D. Allen Jenkins

Example #4:

View from the Passenger Side

My heart is pounding faster with each mile.  
Adrenaline is flowing furiously, 
exampled by the sweat now on my brow— 
yet I am forced to don this peaceful smile. 
 
This task of teaching one to drive's a trial,  
augmented by the angst of pain and death; 
we now approach the freeway entrance ramp— 
my heart is pounding faster with each mile. 
 
His day of birth was but a little while  
ago; but here he’s standing, nearly man, 
but still a boy, requesting for the keys— 
yet I am forced to don this peaceful smile. 
 
My heart is pounding faster with each mile, 
as this, my son, drives toward the future’s light 
yet I am forced to don this peaceful smile. 

Copyright © 2005 D. Allen Jenkins