villanelle ("the restless night")

I pass the restless night with words-on-screen
why've I come to Los Angeles? what's it hold?
the thing we seek is oftentimes unseen

I've barely lived here since I was a teen
most tales of those times remain untold
I pass a restless night with words-on-screen

in afternoon the Lake Shrine proved serene
the evening's film rather pleasantly unrolled
but the thing we seek is oftentimes unseen

the sea at Pacific Palisades looked clean
I wasn't for wading in (presuming it cold)
I immerse myself at night in words-on-screen

I've not in India gotten to play the bin
nor as yet in China visited Loyang old
the thing we seek is oftentimes unseen

in poetry what more counts is heart than spleen
though every facet of life might be extolled
I pass a restless night with words-on-screen
the thing we seek is oftentimes unseen