villanelle for a damp xmas

we do not think to beat upon the drum
announcing the arrival of the day
the needful things are brandy and dark rum

we add the year up and note that the sum
does not account for all lost on the way
we do not think to beat upon the drum

there's silence now we do not hear the hum
of traffic neither see the solar ray
the needful things are brandy and dark rum

each longs for taste of sweetest peach or plum
or sight of sunset deep in bluefields bay
we do not think to beat upon the drum

upon the instruments some beat or strum
and what the meaning is others will say
the needful things are brandy and dark rum

together we face all the facts that come
hurtling upon us the whole thing's just a play
we do not think to beat upon the drum
the needful things are brandy and dark rum

between the darks

 

i know the sights and sounds of winter rain
the gloom means less at ending of hard drought
this day is one when all the silent shout
that they have overcome the dark and pain
the water washes out the human stain
there are some rules that none would dare to flout
for fear that pretty soon they'd be shut out
and left bedraggled on the empty plain
we praise the sun returning in its might
we praise the rain praise every single shower
and do not wait to wonder at the door
to all our chances through it day and night
come messengers and signs of every power
and we too soon know all about the score