VILLANELLE
As for me:
I had over-prepared the event—
Beauty is so rare a thing.
So few drink of my fountain.
Two friends: a breath of the forest . . .
Friends? Are people less friends
because one has just, at least, found them?
Twice they promised to come.
"Between the night and morning?"
Beauty would drink of my mind.
Youth would awhile forget
my youth is gone from me.
II
("Speak up! You have danced so stiffly?
Someone admired your works,
And said so frankly.
"Did you talk like a fool,
The first night?
The second evening?"
"But they promised again:
'To-morrow at tea-time.'")
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