World A Fire

A villanelle I wrote before COVID-19, but seems apt to share now as well.

Hearts still tremble with hopeful desire,

the quavering beat lost in a loud roar,

consumed by that great fire.

 

Though victory seems to require

the ruin and decay of war,

hearts still tremble with hopeful desire.

 

But the future rots behind barbed wire,

a basket of deplorables to abhor.

Consumed by that great fire.

 

The day is ruled by pacifiers and liars

scheming to fill their coffers offshore,

yet, hearts still tremble with hopeful desire,

 

With the belief that darkness can inspire

a fervor for freedom, and see passion restored,

and consumed by that great fire.

 

The lungs of the world are smoked out and sore,

but faith remains undaunted, assured

that hearts still tremble with hopeful desire,

consumed by that great fire.