An OVILLEJO (the name comes from the Spanish, meaning “tight ball of yarn”) is a verse that consists of ten lines. There are no specific line lengths required, but the shorter lines (numbers 2, 4, and 6) are usually no more than five syllables long, and the other seven lines no more than eight syllables long. The rhyme scheme reveals the mystery of the form:
1. a, Longer line
2. A, Short line
3. b, Longer line
4. B, Short line
5. c, Longer line
6. C, Short line
7. c, Longer line
8. d, Longer line
9. d, Longer line
10. A+B+C <— This line combines Lines 2, 4 and 6 to complete a thought.
Many Ovillejo devotees suggest having the last line or phrase in mind before writing, to help set your theme. (But flying by the seat of your pants offers some interesting variations!)
MARIE ELENA’S ATTEMPT
PURSUED (an Ovillejo)
We need only listen as He speaks, and seeks to keep us from abysmal graves. He saves the weak offender from sin’s cost. The lost redeemed, forgiven, and embossed – sanctified with His holy name – this sinless One who shouldered all our shame. He seeks and saves the lost. (Thanks to DE MILLER JACKSON for reminding me that God pursues me.) © Copyright Marie Elena Good – 2013WALT’S WALTZ:
Nothing is as cheerful as
life is,
quite the grand brand of mirth,
well worth
it until we’re on the gurney.
The journey
keeps your heart in play; the tourney
of your lifetime is played to win and laugh.
So steer away from sins and gaffes,
life is well worth the journey.
© Copyright Walter J. Wojtanik – 2013
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
Oh! OH! Yes, please! Tomorrow! Yay!
Looooove these!
Oh! Just saw your note, Marie. He does indeed. LOVE your Ovi.
And Walt, yours too. So true.
I agree! Your poem is so good, Marie! And so true. And yours is amazing as well, Walt!
Wisdom (loosely based on Proverbs 8)
She was before the depths, the clouds, the trees;
Far above rubies,
They that get her, get understanding,
She speaks right things.
She cries to the simple, puts forth her voice,
Causing men to rejoice,
Instruction is better than gold of choice.
From the very beginning, she was His,
Possessed by Him from everlasting; she is
Far above rubies; she speaks right things, causing men to rejoice.
I guess my lines were a little too long so the form is messed up.
Good words, tho!
Very good thoughts.
Thanks, Hen and Debi! Glad you liked it.
I tried one with shorter lines this time. 😉
Poetry is Music
Poetry is a poet’s kiss;
Poetry is
A song of grief, a song of love,
The music of
Which is the words that take flight, part
My heart;
The words I set in verse, my art,
My poet’s kiss, my sign of love,
A gift sent down from God above;
Poetry is the music of my heart.
Sweet music…
So lovely, Erin. Thank-you for the reminder to watch my line-length;)
Thanks, you two! My pastor just read this proverb on Sunday, and the words stuck. This was a perfect opportunity for me.
Wow! This was supposed to go under my other poem! Whoops! Thank you, though, for this one as well. 🙂
Music of my heart -lovely
Thank you, Debi!
Gorgeous, Erin.
Thanks, De! Your opinion means a lot to me!!
Awe! A poet’s kiss!
Meg and Walt, both lovely… Interesting form.
… not thinking too clearly… I’d better go rest with this one… ~ ❤ ~
Walt, I’m with you all the way there.
Double Ovillejo
Ancient wisdom not forgotten
life
for the living. Misbegotten
love
makes mockery of sanity.
divine
retribution for vanity
life, love divine.
Insensate mockery of rapture
wine
keeps at bay unthinking capture.
night,
the time when loves have disappeared.:
Sleep
where day’s dreams are yet sequestered.
Wine, night, sleep.
Oh, Viv. What beautiful word bump happening here. Happy, happy ears.
So flowing and pretty! I love it!
Yes…
Wow! I cannot believe you penned two. Both lovely.
This Cat! (Ovillejo)
When a poem comes together, how exciting,
when I’m writing.
But she’s competing for my lap
this cat.
A poem, kind of hazy
drives me crazy.
Now, don’t think I’m lazy.
It flits, almost appearing, but elusive like a ghost.
Surely, no reason to boast.
When I’m writing, this cat drives me crazy.
Connie, love it:) Walt and Marie. wonderful as always.
Connie! I loooove this, and can so relate. My puppy fights for the right to be my “laptop,” daily. 🙂
Our poems are sooo evanescent, made to depart by the least distraction.
🙂
Good one, Connie!
Marie and De, thank-you for that reminder, He SEEKS us! Like a Shepherd seeks lost sheep He seeks, not only so He knows where we are; He seeks TO SAVE! Hallelujah. Can we dare to not trust such love? Sometimes the unknown threatens to steal my peace and when I read your poem Marie, and your foot-note I was reminded anew who watches over us!
Beyond my faith or fear-filled eyes
The unknown lies
Its moments shaped like precious sands
In loving hands
Before they are released, the staff and rod
Of Father God
To test and try our grasp of dust
To teach us how to hope and trust
In One who holds our moments first
The unknown lies in loving hands of Father God
© Janet Martin
Wonderful truth- faith is hard though.
Yes, faith is hard! I guess that’s what makes it faith, isn’t it?:)
Oh, Janet. My heart aches to trust those loving hands today. Your poem is beautifully perfect.
Thank-you, De.
Amen, in all respects, Janet. I LOVE your uplifting poetry, always.
Marie Elena
Oh… so Lovely!!
Never heard of this form before. Love it
Thirteen (Ovillejo)
Sometimes, I have a hankering
to be thirteen
again, feeling the velvet dusk
and throbbing with
the sweet, intense sensation of
life’s mysteries
that sparkle in the evening air
like glitter in a child’s snow globe
set to tune of haunting flute, oh,
To be thirteen and throbbing with life’s mysteries.
Oh, I see I didn’t comply with the rhyme scheme, bah. Back to the drawing board – sorry for my impatience. : )
Debi, I love it! I don’t think my rhyme scheme is quite correct either. I was focusing on the form!
Patience is not one of my virtues. I get excited and then usually mess up. Thanks for your comment. It made me feel better.
😉 we share the same non-virtue. I so understand, and you are welcome. Your ‘impatient words are beautiful and drew me in with the first line.
…Only…? ~ Musings ~
I will wonder who you are…Still…
You will
forever stay, though I must try…
Be my
inspiration then; let me choose,
Muse,
to follow with hope; to not lose
the magic of your Presence
as you dissolve to essence…
Always, you will be my Muse.
Oh! Beautiful, Henrietta. Amen.
Why, Thank You, De, I am Honored… !
Beautiful!!! I love your last line and how you were able to incorporate it throughout the poem!
Thank you, so much, Erin!!
Love how you weaved this together.
Oh, thank you, jlynn!
Sweet musings, indeed, Hen. Lovely.
Aww, thank you so much, Jane… He has me, and he doesn’t even know it… ~ ❤ ~
What a nice thought – and poem, too.
Oh, thank you, Viv!!
Let me try this again – correctly this time, I hope.
Thirteen
Sometimes, I have a hanker keen.
Oh, to be thirteen
again, living inside dusk’s pith
and vibrating with
sensations -sweet, intense- that dare
life’s craved mysteries fair
that sparkle in the evening air
like glitter tossed from childish hand
to conceal secrets banned.
Oh, to be thirteen and vibrating with life’s craved mysteries fair.
Drat! Well, except for the spacing! Looks like I am going to be a pain-don’t kick me out, sigh.
Hee, hee… hang in there, Debi, you will Never be kicked out of this haven… 🙂 !!
Debi, this is lovely. And that comes from someone who wouldn’t be 13 again if you PAID me. 😉
Ha, ha, ha… I Hear ya, De!
Really good! It’s only been 2 1/2 years since I was thirteen. I still feel the same. 😉
Thanks Henrietta 🙂
Whimsey, I’m with ya, I wouldn’t go back either, I just want the “first time feelings and longings” occasionally.
Erin – I feel that way in my head but the rest of me laughs with a sneer.
Erin! I cannot BELIEVE you aren’t even 16. There is such depth to your writing already. Oh, girl. You are gonna be a poetic force of nature. AWESOME. Keep spilling those words!
Thank you so much, De! I would never have been able to write anything without Marie’s help though. That’s where the credit lies: right at her doorstep.
She’s astounding, isn’t she? To be such a talented writer, and then be all about encouraging others? I don’t know what I would do without her, either. 🙂
*blush blush*
It’s all true though!
“Perseverance”
Upon the knee grandpa taught,
Child, give not
heed to craven men whose
one excuse
for failure is denial
before trial,
who give up every worthwhile
struggle at first glance
of one deceptive hindrance.
Child, give not one excuse before trial.
This I love.
Awesomeness, JLynn.
Brilliant!
A wow.
A wow….
Marie Elena
SO TRUE!!!
Yes!
Thanks, guys!
Beautiful, jlynn.
Full Disclosure
It isn’t that I can’t trust
you, just
that even heaven up above
never loved
these dreams, so truth will fight
me, right?
Here in my arms wrapped tight,
your heart concealed
all is revealed:
You just never loved me right.
Oh De, I don’t tell you often enough as I ‘open’ each poem in my in-box, just HOW you continually WOW as you share your God-given gift! Thank-you.
Awww. Thank you, Janet. And right back atcha.
That is so good… and yet so sad.
Thank you, Debi. I’m so thankful to call it “past life.” 😉
Oh, so sad.
Thanks, Viv.
This is amazing! Ever since I read your interview with Marie Elena, you have been a HUGE inspiration to me, De, and you never cease to amaze me! Beautiful poem!!
Thank you so much, Erin. I left you a comment above. I had NO IDEA you were so young. Your work is amazing. It give me chills to think of all you will do with your writing in the many years to come. AMAZING. 🙂
Well I’m certainly going to keep writing. Thanks! ❤
😦 Beautifully sad…
Thank you, Henrietta.
Articulate, poetic, concise, and honest.
Wow, JLynn. Those are some flattering adjectives. Thank you so much.
De, you make this form look so easy and it whipped my butt. I’m fanning you with peacock feathers here.
Thanks, Jane. Robert introduced me to it a few years ago, and I love them. I played around with them for a long time before they felt any kind of natural. And when penning them this week, I still had to refresh my process. 😉 I don’t always enjoy strict poetic rules, but for some reason the Ovillejo makes me happy. 🙂
And your writing makes me happy. You rock, kiddo!
Ovillejo–interesting form; tricky without being unscrupulous in design. I may have to investigate this one further. Thanks, Walt and Marie for introducing it to me. Here’s my try for today.
Pictures
From time’s massive camera
Come ephemera;
Photos shot in slow motion,
Leaving emotion
To run with tide’s lingering doubt,
Creating devout
Thoughts of time’s overall meaning
Within life’s framework built of clocks,
Daily acts made as building blocks
For a Heaven’s mansion devout.
Lovely.
Thanks, Viv. I’m glad you liked it.
This is lovely, Clauds! The last line, however, is supposed to combine the 2nd, 4th, and 6th lines to form a sentence. I love your subject though! Photography! One of my hobbies!
Thanks, Erin. I didn’t understand that that was the case in the last line. I’ll have to go in and see what I can do about that. I’m glad you liked it though.
You’re welcome. It’s REALLY good though.
Yes, I Love the articulation of a moment’s capture…
!!:)!!
😀 !!
Struck
I laud the stars above
and love
to wish upon them, too.
Won’t you
come bid the hands of time
be mine?
Beneath this salted sky,
it’s simpler than it seems;
Every girl’s got her dreams.
And, Love: won’t you be mine?
sweet. I like that. perfect for Valentines
That would work beautifully in a Valentine card.
SO sweet! I love the stars!
Oh, Perfect title, and I love: “…Beneath this salted sky,…” Wonderful to read on this Valentine’s Day…
Ditto on Viv’s comment. It’s lovely.
Oh, De. I feel like I just unwrapped dark chocolate creams. Wonderful.
After I wrote an ovillejo for the first time today (for PA’s latest form prompt), I thought I should come back over to PB to see if the form had been done here. Of course it had! (smile) So…just read back over these and thought I’d comment.
[…] In-form Poet Wednesday – Ovillejo (poeticbloomings.com) […]
[…] Co-prompted by, and shared at: Poetic Bloomings and Poetic […]
Once (an ovillejo)
In summer, bands play when they could,
where the towers stood.
Some workers ate lunches they’d brought,
some alone, in thought.
Others feeling their energy drained
remained,
longer than they should, but explained
that they had waited long in line
for the hot dog cart on Pine.
Where the towers stood, some alone in thought, remained.
Bittersweet… “…some alone in thought, remained.”
Thanks, Hen. I found this challenge quite difficult. Took many tries.
Yes, it took me hours, resting/sleeping, and more hours… But, it is work that I Love… !!
Such a gentle, wistful poem, a small picture that invokes a remembrance. Nice.
Thanks, Jane!
Erin clued me in as to Rule #10’s message. Thank you, Erin. So, I went back in and corrected the line; hopefully this will suffice and tie everything together satisfactorily.
Pictures
From time’s massive camera
Come ephemera;
Photos shot in slow motion,
Leaving emotion
To run with tide’s lingering doubt,
Creating devout
Thoughts of time’s overall meaning
Within life’s framework built of clocks,
Daily acts made as building blocks
Ephemera’s emotion creates devout..
This works quite well!
Thanks so much, my friend. I hate it when I’ve missed a crucial piece of the puzzle and then have to redo.
I Love both versions, Clauds!
Ah, thanks, Hen. I’m so glad.
🙂 !
This form was tricky! Here is my attempt: http://lolamousedroppings.blogspot.com/2013/02/love.html
Lovely truths!
Confectionary Dreams
During the night, a giant hand
passed over the land
gently tapping a sifter can,
sprinkling began
not water but powder falling
a storm stalling
but as the dawn begins crawling
and as we rise out of our beds –
candy coated trees greet our heads.
Over the land sprinkling begins, a storm stalling.
Michelle, what delightful imagery. That last line really is like meanings exploding into possibility. And so effortlessly (it seems). Love it.
Yes, such powdery sweetness!!
For those of you who participated in the 14 Words of Love project, this was a little bit of what happened today, giving those poems away during my errands. Not everyone I gave them to, of course, were strangers, but many were and were cautious, suspicious, willing, and then delighted. It was a kick to watch that happen.
Poem Project
In parking lots, on ‘blab of pave,’
I gave
small poems to no one I knew.
A few
looked at me as if I were strange;
a change
lit up their faces in exchange.
They read words from a poet’s heart
and smiled, struck by a cupid’s dart.
I gave a few a change.
🙂 !
Time Warps
Our ambling walk down lonely lanes,
our hope explains,
means we are works in slow progress.
We often guess—
so much of what we dream or think
changes when we blink:
like faith’s mirages, life is pink
then fading gray; time slips away
unless we grasp it and obey.
We often guess our hope, explain, change when we blink.
Beautiful, Jane.
“…like faith’s mirages…” Lovely…
Sentimental Valentine’s Day Poem
Can’t give to you my heart.
Spare part
it’s not. I need it ‘cause
it was
and is an organ I
could die
without. I would comply
but after lots of thought
there’s just this card I bought.
Aren’t I a thoughtful guy?
###
😀
I’m late! Sorry, been busy…
Breaking News
Suffice to say, to be brief, all in all:
I recall:
Once upon a time, long, long ago–
You know?
And a thousand other false almost-starts…
We’re apart.
Need I say more? I remember what you told me
–So carefree!
You had no idea how mangled and strangled I’d be
Now–and your words, remembered, like a rock in my gut,
Have spawn a thousand “I can’t”s and “Not now”s and “but”s.
In a nutshell, how do I articulate a broken heart?
😦
One more for luck!
Ovillijo
History is bunkum
Forget what they say about history.
History
depends on who’s writing it.
Exciting, it
can be truthful or biased, lies
or elliptical.
Patriotism incompatible
with reliable history:
my truth, your truth, a mystery.
History: exciting or elliptical?
Spot on… Perspective is Everything when it comes to words…
You all make me want every week to be Ovillejo week! 😀
Marie Elena
Little late to the dance – Blown away by everyone’s writings. Feel like a whittler at a sawmill.
The following is for the love of my life. My wife’s name is “Shirley” which I considered using in place of “surely”. I often interplay her name that way.
i.e. One of my favorites – “Shirley” goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)
Captured Heart
By David De Jong
February 16, 2013
I saw your eyes of jasmine cream
Silhouette of dream
Cotton shorts, bronzed, summer’s July
I can not lie
You captured me with just one gaze
Surely best my days
I loved you then and will always
Cherished memory where it stays
A love come true so many ways
Silhouette of dream, I can not lie, surely best my days
[…] (an ovillejo) […]