“Dangerous Habits” a villanelle by Francesca Badalamenti ’18 was published in Fall 2016 Volume 50 of the Claremont Review. Established in 1992, the Claremont Review has published work by artists and writers aged 13-19 from all over the English-speaking world. A villanelle is a 19-line poem of fixed form, written in tercets, usually five in number, followed by a final quatrain, all being based on two rhymes. Francesca’s one-act play “The Corn Maze” won the NJ Young Playwrights Competition. Her poetry has appeared in Black Fox Literary Magazine and elsewhere. Enjoy this compelling poem by Francesca.
Dangerous Habits: a Villanelle by Francesca Badalamenti
I know now that people are creatures of habit,
which is why father never puts down his beer.
I just wish someone had told me earlier.
Our home has become a constant conflict,
and she asks him to quiet down so the neighbors don’t hear.
I know now that people are creatures of habit,
but he won’t stop because he’s an addict,
and she can’t help but shake when he comes near.
I just wish someone had told me earlier.
Because our relationship at the dinner table has become static,
as she asks him the tedious question about his day with an innocent “dear”.
I know now that people are creatures of habit,
and I can’t do anything to stop it.
They’ve put me on this road and I can’t steer.
I just wish someone had told me earlier.
Our house’s foundation is cracked and unbalanced,
that’s become pretty clear.
I know now that people are creatures of habit,
I just wish someone had told me earlier.
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