A Villanelle

A Villanelle

"Say, beloved, shall we meet?"

"Say, beloved, shall we meet
outside the dark wood's gate at dawn,
and seek at last a safe retreat?

We'll head along Great Rafton Street
and glimpse the sea before the morn.
Say, beloved, shall we meet?

And dearest we'll the wild birds greet
and joyful pass through fields of corn
and seek at last a safe retreat,

and soon we'll spy the white ships fleet
prepared before the day was born.
Say, beloved, shall we meet?

And long before the day's noon-heat
we'll sail beyond the reach of scorn
and seek at last a safe retreat.

In a good ship's prow we'll take our seat
and laugh to be the wild wind's pawn.
Say, beloved, shall we meet
and seek at last a safe retreat?"

Jennifer Hashmi