Saturday, October 24, 2009

villanelle: "Code blue"



"Code blue" they said three times    but Yama's hand
moved every piece into its lethal place
the chessboard shows what destiny has planned

we move through nights and days by whose command?
we seek to glimpse what ever-distant face?
"Code blue" they said three times    but Yama's hand

is suave and stealthy    let me take my stand
by loving you    though your game's named "erase"
the chessboard shows what destiny has planned

I came back from points East both broke and tanned
around the globe by winds of fortune chased
"Code blue" they said three times    but Yama's hand

is sure and steady    we're familied and clanned
we're civilized with lavender and lace
withal the chessboard shows what fate has planned

New York and California your life's spanned
you had to leave    but why this sudden haste?
"Code blue" they said three times    by Yama's hand
the chessboard shows what destiny has planned

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for my mother, Betty Jane Israel (April 2, 1927 - October 23, 2009) in memoriam