For in this life, we will never truly understand
The many varied reasons why,
Like waves upon the seashore and the shifting of the sand

There may be times when life is sweet and very, very grand
We never thought, be us to sigh
For in this life, we will never truly understand

Calamity crashes upon our world, a loud unruly band
It's cacophony louder than we can cry
Like waves upon the seashore and the shifting of the sand

Withering heights, the depths of woe are not what we command
When best laid plans of us wee men, go terribly awry
For in this life we will never truly understand

We try to weather out the storm, try simply just to stand
Cling fervently to what we hope life cannot from us pry
Like waves upon the seashore and the shifting of the sand

There is One hope in obliteration, for we are never damned
We can run with speed and rise in faith, on eagles wings to fly
For in this life, we will never truly understand
Like waves upon the seashore and the shifting of the sand

03/17/2007

Author's Note: first try at the villanelle form

Posted on 04/03/2007
Copyright © 2026 Oliver Drewman