Silent was the Night

My latest Villanelle. I thought I'd give you something to look over since I'm supposed to discuss this form of writing when next we meet--I think. So I wrote this.


Suddenly so soft, so silent was the night.
An abrupt and final ending to a harsh and bitter row.
Never will she turn her face toward the light.

What began with utter happiness, at last her future bright,
Unexpectedly to her became a haunting tale of woe
Suddenly. So soft, so silent was the night.

His words held every kindness, manners proper, deeds polite.
In no way could she dream the man would turn to greatest foe.
Never will she turn her face toward the light.

Not a soul to notice in her eyes the perilous plight.
Her silver voice extinguished by his presence ‘ere she go.
Suddenly, so soft, so silent was the night.

In the end her strength was beaten by his evil, pressing might.
Not allowed to disobey, she dared to tell him no.
Never will she turn her face toward the light.

Now she lies so still, eyes open without sight.
Her body slight adheres to the bloodstained rocks below.
Suddenly so soft. So silent was the night.
Never again to turn her face toward the light.

Under The Harvest Moon - Carl Sandburg

I have this posted in my cubicle. Every time I read it, I envision it. I think it's great. I chose it as my first poem for Carl S.

Under the Harvest Moon
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over the garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker,
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.

Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with little hands,
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

Whole

I love you.
My young dreams were about you,
full grown and whole.
You had an easy future where
you were
swift and smart, and whole and mine,
and though,
what you have become is so much more,
I mourn
the loss of your innocence
and mine.