Upon the Disillusioned Bank - Villanelle

Upon the disillusioned bank I stand wavering ground
By the black water running with gruesome sound—

I see memories upon memories swing by.

And as I stand, I make to move my lips my regret to sound

Yet my lips are by yarns of regret tightly bound—

Upon the disillusioned bank I stand wavering ground.

The elegy of ticking chase musings to flight.

I dread and refuse their haunting lullaby—

I see memories upon memories swing by.

Fast and swirling the eddies go round-and-round,

And loud as thunder they swerve and pound—

Upon the disillusioned bank I stand wavering ground.

My eyes follow the rising and retreating tide,

Against which my reveries are tied—

I see memories upon memories swing by.

In this river I am beaten and drowned,

Tied with the gut-strings I sought to fight

Upon the disillusioned bank I stand wavering ground,

I see memories upon memories swing by.