“Him Who Sees the Vision’s Light: A Villanelle”

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A haunting cast to starlit eyes

Of him who sees the vision’s light

The Dreamer dreams of onyx skies

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And here façade a fear belies

He knows his course, yet dreads the fight

A haunting cast to starlit eyes

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A whisper falls, a voice replies

While thought and spirit thrill the night

The Dreamer dreams of onyx skies

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The deepening chill of subtle lies

Bleak pain within his heart ignites

A haunting cast to starlit eyes

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Altruistic specters rise

Recalled from sleep, as sages write:

The Dreamer dreams of onyx skies

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His voice resounds in strident cries

Veracity gives the blind their sight

A haunting cast to starlit eyes

The Dreamer dreams of onyx skies

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January 13, 2006

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Author’s Note: The basic theme of this poem is knowing what is required of you, and still being afraid to do it. In this poem, a man has a vision, and he’s afraid of what it tells him to do. Most of the poem is his struggle with his purpose, but in the end he resolves to do what he must. A note on structure: I have recently discovered this format, a villanelle. The required repetition of lines makes it difficult to make the poem make sense so hopefully I succeeded. Reviews are very much appreciated.