November 9, 2009

Last night I couldn't sleep, so here is a villanelle.

A Better Man


A better man would turn to lead to test

the movement of the leaves in human show

the half-life of the human heart at rest.


A better question than he’d ever guessed

is the logic and direction of the snows.

A better man would turn to lead to test.


The passion of the waves upon the crest,

with purpose readied, will presuppose

the half-life of the human heart at rest.


The mysteries of the stars that wink in jest

and fall for beauty, beauty commanding so,

a better man would turn to lead to test.


Who gives up that by which he is possessed

will quit his lab and run to love to know

the half-life of the human heart at rest.


Til one should bring him love, by Love’s request,

his sought-for sun is angling in the close.

A better man would turn to lead to test

the half-life of the human heart at rest.

4 comments:

Mary Sexton said...

Is lead like a plumb line?

This is really cool. I know I've started villanelles but I don't think I've finished one although I might have. I wrote a few sonnets in Romantic.

Joshua said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joshua said...

Lines Composed upon Reading a Villanelle from the pen-hand of Paul Gautier, November 12, 2009


Villanelles are always cool.
Paul Gautier is the man.
If you don't like it, you're a fool.

I like to swim in the pool.
I hate the Phillies; I'm a Ranger fan.
Villanelles are always cool.

Sufjan Stevens and company rule.
So does Star Wars, especially Han.
If you don't like it, you're a fool.

Whence comes the word "spool"?
I wish I had my car with me (or a van).
Villanelles are always cool.

The other day saw an add for Kool.
A marathon (while smoking) Sercer ran.
If you don't like it, you're a fool.

How I love to sit around the log of Yule,
And eating Joey's potatoes, fried in a pan.
Villanelles are always cool.
If you don't like it, you're a fool.

Paul K Gautier, Jr said...

Mary: I don't know the expression plumb line.

Josh: It can't be good for your priestly humility to reach halfway across the country to show me up. Consider it.