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The Meniscus

A Late Villanelle

By D. J. ReddallPublished 2 years ago 1 min read

We're blithely pretending that all is well

Naively mistaking icing for cake

Under the lullaby tolls the death knell

Crises and catastrophes multiply

As we curate images of order

We’re blithely pretending that all is well

What sort of mind can be bored by a plague?

Who asks what else is on during a war?

Under the lullaby tolls the death knell

On the meniscus of oblivion

Things seem gently to curve toward the light

We’re blithely pretending that all is well

Though nothing is more common than darkness

We complain about the food at the wake

Under the lullaby tolls the death knell

What preternatural pretenders, we

Pressing the suits we’ll be buried in

We’re blithely pretending that all is well

Under the lullaby tolls the death knell

Villanelle

About the Creator

D. J. Reddall

I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.

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Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

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    Creative use of language & vocab

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    Well-structured & engaging content

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    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (6)

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  • Novel Allen2 years ago

    The suits are pressed, the make-up beautifully done. Then our bodies rot and return to nurture the soil. Aptly compensating death with life...life with death...and so it continues on and on. Lovely poetry.

  • Hannah Moore2 years ago

    This is so good, what a shame it's late! Pressing the suits we'll be buried in.

  • "Preternatural pretenders", I really loved that! This was a fantastic Villanelle!

  • Mackenzie Davis2 years ago

    This rings true like the death knell. Brilliant concept, and a gripping manifestation. Bravo! 👏🏻

  • Grz Colm2 years ago

    Brilliant work D.J. - We can become so apathetic. I loved this poem. The dark humour, the message and structure. Top job!!

  • Matthew J. Fromm2 years ago

    Ohh my….this is wow

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