(a villanelle)

I cannot linger, here, in darkest night,
The weariness is difficult to bear;
The heart won’t live if borne by such a plight.

While loss is bearable with strength to fight,
I’m on my way to Hades without fare;
I cannot linger, here, in darkest night.

I’d try to rescue her if thoughts I might,
Hold dear would bolster me with love to spare;
The heart won’t live if borne by such a plight.

But I have crashed as if from some great height,
And in her life I can no longer share;
I cannot linger, here, in darkest night.

Since taken from me there’s no ray of light,
The happiness I felt has become rare;
The heart won’t live if borne by such a plight.

Within my soul a sunken hollow there,
As if an entrance to a dragon’s lair;
I cannot linger, here, in darkest night,
The heart won’t live if borne by such a plight.

(c) 2017 Miriam Ruff All Rights Reserved