Mark A Fisher

Underworld

(a petite villanelle)

Persephone doesn’t take Death seriously
robed in black resolute and austere
sat upon his bony throne imperiously

‘cause every Spring she comes invariably
the cycle endures for still another year
life continues, despite ends, gloriously

but still extinction comes on pitilessly
yet she herself feels no fear
Persephone doesn’t take Death seriously
life continues, despite ends, gloriously

lost refrain
(a nested villanelle)

listening again to some old song
spinning black vinyl long ago bought
from a generation I almost belong

    memories I thought I forgot
    so many years passed before long
    too many dreams that came to naught

I’m still wishing I could play along
even after so many years I cannot
listening again to some old song

    names and faces I’ve lost a lot
    too many sunset shadows gone long
    memories I thought I forgot

so many things we knew were wrong
so many lives strove against the rot
from a generation I almost belong

    perhaps she was Guinevere and I Lancelot
    it was love, a love gone wrong
    too many dreams that came to naught

as we’re singing “Coming on Strong”
across the sky now comes her thought
listening again to some old song

    but time its lessons have taught
    by mistakes followed headlong
    memories I thought I forgot

it was wrong from the start all along
some made it out but too many were shot
from a generation I almost belong

    who knows how much time I’ve still got
    I’m still continuing my muddle lifelong
    too many dreams that came to naught

listening again to some old song
from a generation I almost belong
    memories I thought I forgot
    too many dreams that came to naught