Jeff Harrison - Villanelle

her humility would have loved this fretful music
virtue did not tempt him to a rhyming union with obligation
- how many walls have been adorned with indignity?

the duality of an impulse and nineteen lines is here recovered
temptation is satiated with a single word from Virginia
her humility would have loved this fretful music

the wonder is you would have it glaring whitely!
virtuousness, that is, which has a thick black pigment
- how many walls have been adorned with indignity?

cryptograms are nothing but arithmetical hoaxes
tempting choirs to call a noise a tune, strength in numbers!
her humility would have loved this fretful music

Virginia's eyes were glassed with uncomfortable recollection
virtue, nonetheless, keeps on dancing the Roger of Coverly
- how many walls have been adorned with indignity?

this trap will let you have your joke
tempters are always courteous when paying court to Virtue
her humility would have loved this fretful music
- how many walls have been adorned with indignity?