Invictus

In the maelstrom of voices, I call and I call

My voice all but drowned in the wind and the rain

But I'll keep on calling in spite of it all

——

Ah, how we parted so sure of land fall

Our hopes full of dreams of all that we'd gain

In the maelstrom of voices, I call and I call

——

But darkness came quickly, the voyage turned to gall

The only light showing was lightning's white stain

But I'll keep on calling in spite of it all

——

The cold wind and rain bore hard on us all

Our minds and our muscles both feeling the strain

In the maelstrom of voices, I call and I call

——

Tossed in the darkness, the water's our pall

The wind and the rain take no heed of our pain

But I'll keep on calling in spite of it all

——

No matter the Maelstrom, whatever befall

I'll defy winds and rains and I'll keep my refrain

In the maelstrom of voices, I call and I call

And I'll keep on calling in spite of it all

***********

Brief Notes:

Invictus: The word is Latin for “Unconquerable,”

Inspiration: This poem is inspired by the mild insanity we must posses to publish work to the internet; how it can feel impossible to be heard or noticed in “The maelstrom of voices,” that is online publication.

Influence: This poem is influenced by “Invictus” by William Henley, from which I’ve borrowed a title as well as a tone of defiance. There is so much in life that feels impossible to live through, and yet we often choose to reject common sense and try impossible things. I hope this Villanelle conveys that spirit.

Thank You For Reading, please do leave your thoughts in the comments!