[Alex Pepple]

Hello, Rick,

Thanks for your clarification about the intentionally jarring effects. Your point about jarring effects not being antithetical to cohesion is well taken—I can see how, in the right hands, they can create tension rather than discord.

Your take on ekphrasis is refreshing—untamed, instinctive, and visceral. I appreciate how you've explained it as its own thing, pulling in whatever imagery presents itself regardless of historical bounds. And you're right—the formal constraints of the villanelle can serve as a perfect structural anchor for such spontaneity.

Your comment about your Romantic period ending in the 1980s made me smile and helped me better understand your approach. Perhaps I was too prescriptive in suggesting period-specific vocabulary when your aim is precisely to transcend such boundaries.

I'm intrigued by your vision here and will be interested to see how it continues to evolve—or, knowing your style now, maybe just how it holds its ground!

Looking forward to seeing how this develops!

Cheers,
...Alex