A still from the movie Eternal SpringA Poem on the Movie Eternal Spring, by Evan Mantyk The Society October 24, 2022 Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry, Villanelle 15 Comments . His Pen a villanelle written upon watching the movie Eternal Spring His pen flies back and forth, a righteous flurry That recreates the scenes of saintlike deeds, Giving shape to all that once was blurry. In youth, the ancient heroes’ wartime glory Inspired his hand—with legendary speeds His pen flies back and forth, a righteous flurry. Then later he found peace within life’s hurry And time to cultivate his garden’s seeds, Giving shape to all that once was blurry. This brought down commie fists of iron fury That pulled out faithful folks like spreading weeds. His pen flies back and forth, a righteous flurry Across the world, continuing his story Of drawing for us what a tyrant breeds, Giving shape to all that once was blurry. We sit and watch the images as jury. The Judge awaits as civilization bleeds. His pen flies back and forth, a righteous flurry Giving shape to all that once was blurry. . . . . Evan Mantyk teaches literature and history in New York and is Editor of the Society of Classical Poets. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 15 Responses Paul Buchheit October 24, 2022 Very nice villanelle, Evan. A fitting message not just for China, but for all the countries in the world that are becoming increasingly intolerant of long-held beliefs and rights. Reply Dan Ward October 24, 2022 Thanks for calling attention to this movie. Hopefully it will be available to stream over the internet some day. Reply Anna J. Arredondo October 24, 2022 Evan, I was particularly struck by these two lines: “We sit and watch the images as jury. The Judge awaits as civilization bleeds.” Thanks for sharing this. Reply Michael Pietrack October 24, 2022 Those stuck to me as well. Powerful Reply Cynthia Erlandson October 24, 2022 I agree with Anna, in that I also thought the two lines she mentioned were the most powerful in the poem — though the whole villanelle is really well done, with the perfect rhyming words, and inspiring musicality throughout. Reply jd October 24, 2022 Enjoyed your Villanelle, Evan, and the introduction to “Eternal Spring”. As it’s animated, I might be able to watch it. Reply Margaret Coats October 24, 2022 Good poem to present the film, Evan. I found a theater within half an hour’s drive, but it looks like showings are this week only. I’ll have to hurry! The third stanza of the villanelle is the most attractive from my point of view, but maybe I can deal with some drama. Reply Paul Freeman October 25, 2022 Powerful stuff highlighting that tyranny is all about controlling the narrative and that even an individual can make their mark. The trailer’s inspiring. Thanks for the read, Evan. Reply James Sale October 25, 2022 I haven’t seen this film Evan, but well done on this achievement. As you might imagine, given my own tendencies, I especially like the rhymes you have developed here: the final – and surprise – variant, ‘jury’, is brilliant and unexpected. Like this a lot. Reply Evan Mantyk October 25, 2022 Thank you all for your comments! I should note that Eternal Spring was selected as Canada’s submission to the 2023 Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. It is in many AMC theaters now throughout the United States, and is at the Film Forum in Manhattan. It’s also playing in Canada, the UK, and Australia (I’m sure it will be available for streaming later on, just like all movies). For the U.S. showings, it is a limited run, just this week, though I have heard it could be extended. Check the listings on https://eternalspringfilm.com/ I drove an hour to see it, and it was well worth it. The movie uses real footage from the Chinese Communist Party-controlled media in which the host trumpets atheism and socialism as part of its monstrous propaganda meant to destroy the innocent lives of those who do not conform to the Party’s will. This is a movie worth supporting! Reply Brian Yapko October 25, 2022 A wonderful villanelle, Evan, on a most important subject. I too love the jury and judge lines and the unbearably potent phrase “as civilization bleeds.” But I also especially like the phrasing of “Of drawing for us what a tyrant breeds” for isn’t that exactly what we are all meant to do — to bear witness? I will make a point of seeing this film. Reply Janice Canerdy October 25, 2022 Reading this skillfully written, expressive villanelle makes me want to see this movie! Exceptional Reply Lucia Haase October 25, 2022 Really enjoyed your villanelle poem and the video also. Thanks for the information on the Eternal Spring film. Your poem is very inspiring. I’ve always liked Villanelle’s. Thank you. Reply Sally Cook October 26, 2022 Dear Evan — You have a way of being subtle no matter what form you use — the mark of a fine poet and teacher. Thank you for informing us of the movie; I will watch for it ! Reply Joshua C. Frank November 11, 2022 Evan, I love this one. It’s a perfect villanelle for this writer and other writers all over the world like him. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Paul Buchheit October 24, 2022 Very nice villanelle, Evan. A fitting message not just for China, but for all the countries in the world that are becoming increasingly intolerant of long-held beliefs and rights. Reply
Dan Ward October 24, 2022 Thanks for calling attention to this movie. Hopefully it will be available to stream over the internet some day. Reply
Anna J. Arredondo October 24, 2022 Evan, I was particularly struck by these two lines: “We sit and watch the images as jury. The Judge awaits as civilization bleeds.” Thanks for sharing this. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson October 24, 2022 I agree with Anna, in that I also thought the two lines she mentioned were the most powerful in the poem — though the whole villanelle is really well done, with the perfect rhyming words, and inspiring musicality throughout. Reply
jd October 24, 2022 Enjoyed your Villanelle, Evan, and the introduction to “Eternal Spring”. As it’s animated, I might be able to watch it. Reply
Margaret Coats October 24, 2022 Good poem to present the film, Evan. I found a theater within half an hour’s drive, but it looks like showings are this week only. I’ll have to hurry! The third stanza of the villanelle is the most attractive from my point of view, but maybe I can deal with some drama. Reply
Paul Freeman October 25, 2022 Powerful stuff highlighting that tyranny is all about controlling the narrative and that even an individual can make their mark. The trailer’s inspiring. Thanks for the read, Evan. Reply
James Sale October 25, 2022 I haven’t seen this film Evan, but well done on this achievement. As you might imagine, given my own tendencies, I especially like the rhymes you have developed here: the final – and surprise – variant, ‘jury’, is brilliant and unexpected. Like this a lot. Reply
Evan Mantyk October 25, 2022 Thank you all for your comments! I should note that Eternal Spring was selected as Canada’s submission to the 2023 Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. It is in many AMC theaters now throughout the United States, and is at the Film Forum in Manhattan. It’s also playing in Canada, the UK, and Australia (I’m sure it will be available for streaming later on, just like all movies). For the U.S. showings, it is a limited run, just this week, though I have heard it could be extended. Check the listings on https://eternalspringfilm.com/ I drove an hour to see it, and it was well worth it. The movie uses real footage from the Chinese Communist Party-controlled media in which the host trumpets atheism and socialism as part of its monstrous propaganda meant to destroy the innocent lives of those who do not conform to the Party’s will. This is a movie worth supporting! Reply
Brian Yapko October 25, 2022 A wonderful villanelle, Evan, on a most important subject. I too love the jury and judge lines and the unbearably potent phrase “as civilization bleeds.” But I also especially like the phrasing of “Of drawing for us what a tyrant breeds” for isn’t that exactly what we are all meant to do — to bear witness? I will make a point of seeing this film. Reply
Janice Canerdy October 25, 2022 Reading this skillfully written, expressive villanelle makes me want to see this movie! Exceptional Reply
Lucia Haase October 25, 2022 Really enjoyed your villanelle poem and the video also. Thanks for the information on the Eternal Spring film. Your poem is very inspiring. I’ve always liked Villanelle’s. Thank you. Reply
Sally Cook October 26, 2022 Dear Evan — You have a way of being subtle no matter what form you use — the mark of a fine poet and teacher. Thank you for informing us of the movie; I will watch for it ! Reply
Joshua C. Frank November 11, 2022 Evan, I love this one. It’s a perfect villanelle for this writer and other writers all over the world like him. Reply
