"Narcissa's Villanelle"


All my illusions shatter in the night.
I see our leader's soul, its rotten core.
Through pain and loss, we struggle toward the light.


I seek escape in beds of flowers bright.
Inside my home is nought but grim dolore.
All my illusions shatter in the night.


So long, the wary months of numbing fright.
My husband or my son--Who'd need me more?
Through pain and loss, we struggle toward the light.


To see past veils of lies left me contrite
And weeping, lost upon the marble floor.
All my illusions shatter in the night.


I struck a Devil's bargain. Some insight
Led me to trust a man who'd loved before.
Through pain and loss, we struggle toward the light.


How are we to live? Our once-proud might
Is ashes; we must seek the future's door.
All my illusions shatter in the night.
Through pain and loss, we struggle toward the light.