Villanelle

The Emptiness of Days

The emptiness of days
the pallid sleepless nights
are measured in the bitter chill of hours

I see as from a tow'r
though distant, in plain sight
The emptiness of days

My lonely cloistered ways,
dark devotional nights
are measured in the bitter chill of hours

The falling rain that scours
and cleans cannot set right
The emptiness of days

I've tried so many ways
but life's slow rythmic fights
are measured in the bitter chill of hours

I yield to sullen pow'rs
the battle for my rights
The emptiness of days
are measured in the bitter chill of hours