A Villanelle Shifting Metonymically
To Express Doubt Over the Desirability
Of Either Heaven or a Second Coming
Solid, all-perfected, I fear it will
Enter to end our common loneliness;
Stop each heart's aching for a miracle.
The constant hymn for whisper lyrical,
And brilliance shadows the light holiness --
Solid, all-perfected -- I fear it will ...
Knowledge, more than round; more than spherical,
Confirm/deny what now we only guess;
Stop each heart's aching for a miracle.
Then nothing to curse, nor curse to fear; still
When all is bless'd, will it be waste to bless
Solid All? Perfected I? ... fear it will.
What more wonderful than a year in Hell;
He comes and all passion turns to excess.
Stop each, Heart's aching for a miracle.
So that's the deal; I wait here until
Jesus speaks his inaugural address --
Solid; all perfected. I fear it will
Stop each heart's aching for a miracle.
Don Ives
1986
