VILLANELLE FOR ALL OUR SONS

What no one admits, what no one wants to hear, is precisely that which has to be repeated all the more.
Goethe

Incisions on black marble seal our bonds
to veterans who fell in "syndrome's" way
No war is worth the sacrifice of sons.

Our faces mirrored deep within fierce calm
aesthetic shock to tethered pain convey
incisions on black marble seal our bonds.

Lost voices beg to pound all guns to none
"like sweet bells jangled, out of tune"* they play
No war is worth the sacrifice of sons.

Admit the folly that was Vietnam
and in warm Spirit's Light lift Death to Day
Incisions on black marble seal our bonds.

Redeem the Peace for valor and beyond
These names that wail for all to kneel and pray
No war is worth the sacrifice of sons.

"Mere puffs of wind"** brave sons of Absalom
abhor the past, how dare we look away
Incisions on black marble seal our bonds
No war is worth the sacrifice of sons.

(C)2003, Patricia D'Alessandro

Published in Call & Response, East Bootleg West,
Sacramento, CA 1993
l. William Shakespeare
2. Psalm 144 - War Hymn