Short
The versanelle is usually quite short—13 lines or fewer. However, depending on the verse’s other elements, it might extend upwards of 20 lines. A traditional sonnet, which depends on 14 lines and an English or Italian rime scheme, may take on some of the attributes of the versanelle, but poets usually shy away from a sonnet/versanelle synthesis.
The epigram, which is a quick retort, is the closet form to the versanelle; however, the epigram is even shorter than the versanelle even though it does offer the clever remark that informs the versanelle.
A fine example of the power of the versanelle is Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow”: The speaker narrates a little story about being outside on a snowy day. He was in a melancholy mood that day, but after some snow fell down on his head, knocked down by a bird, his attitude changed. As a matter of fact, the bird’s effort actually “saved” the part of the day for him.
Narration
The versanelle almost always narrates a very little story. Another prominent example of the narrative element in that form is the poem “Silent Treatment” from The Man in Motion by the master of that form, Malcolm M. Sedam:
“I would not speak— / as a matter of fact / I was determined / not to give in this time / because I was By God Right! / and I was, / I did not speak / though I did smile / as I carried her up the stairs.”
In eleven lines, the speaker has told the reader a little story about winning an argument to his own satisfaction and seemingly to that of his opponent’s.
Comment of Human Nature or Behavior
The form’s key purpose is to make a comment about human nature, and it often makes a scathing observation about human behavior. Poets, not unlike philosophers, often fancy engaging in the assessment of the human condition, which includes the delicious toil of criticizing the conduct of fellow human beings. Thankfully, most poets appreciate that they are not above the frailties they blast.
Stephen Crane’s “The Wayfarer” offers a leading example of the versanelle’s ability to make a major critical analysis of human behavior. Again, in a scant eleven lines, the speaker universalizes the moral laxness of humanity as he flings a decided frown upon that vice.
Poetic Devices
The form employs the poetic devices of metaphor, simile, image, personification, and others in the same way that all poetic forms do. In Crane’s “The Violets,” personification is the dominant poetic device: the violets not only speak but engage in bloody battle until the last one is dead.
Punch Line
The ending of the versanelle usually offers up a clincher like a punch line in a joke. It draws all the elements together. The narration is often mysterious yet tantalizing as it draws the reader into its possibilities.
The colorful language sparks the reader on and suddenly the punch line snaps the reader’s attention to the point. William Butler Yeats’ “Death” exemplifies the faultless punch line to a versanelle: “Man has created death.”
Commentary
The versanelle, despite it brevity, or perhaps because of that element, continues to be a staple in the poet’s bag of tools for offering crisp commentary while maintaining the poetic expression to which all poets are addicted. This timeless form is likely to thrill poets and readers as long as the poetic art exists.
