Forebodings

[avevale_intelligencer]

Who said that we would know, this time? They lied.
Despite the lessons of two thousand years
He came again to save us, and he died.

Once long ago, by peaceful Jordan's side,
The song of angels blended with his tears.
Who said that we would know, this time? They lied.

Palm-strewn his path on that last fateful ride.
Amid the unsuspecting people's cheers,
He came again to save us, and he died.

Through tickertape we saw the limo glide,
"Hail to the Chief" resounding in our ears.
Who said that we would know, this time? They lied.

A single man among the human tide--
A single shot, and all hope disappears.
He came again to save us, and he died.

This death, by no redemption sanctified,
Condemns us all to face our darkest fears.
Who said that we would know, this time? They lied.
He came again to save us, and he died.

No, of course I don't think Obama is the Second Coming, though I don't think it particularly matters to the poem whether he actually is or not.

My first villanelle ever. What do you think?

Comments

[pbristow.livejournal.com]

I think... that there's a small, irritating pedant at the back of my mind saying "well, *he* did, actually." =:o>

Also: That it's very good. And moving, and challenging, and stuff.

What defines a villanelle? (Says the guy to tired to bother Googling...)

[zanda-myrande.livejournal.com]

Three-line verses, rhymed a-b-a. The first and third lines of the first verse become alternate refrains for the next four verses, and together form the refrain of the last verse, which consequently has an extra line.