A Villanelle For H.P.

There we were, lost on a bottomless sea

composing messages to our mothers

Accepting of all there is and can be.

 

And though the waves were black and ornery

with unknown devils, my mates and brothers,

there we were, lost on a bottomless sea.

 

We God-fearing as the waves moved to freeze

the moth-bitten shear sail, made us shudder.

Accepting of all there is and can be.  

 

Like slaves we were, grizzled African bees

shaken too hard inside waxy covers.

There we were, lost on a bottomless sea

 

where beneath the waves terrible things sleep,

with their tentacles and slimy suckers

accepting of all there is and can be.

 

And you, my reader, I now send a plea

Forget what the brazen fool discovers.

There we were, lost on a bottomless sea

Accepting of all there is and can be.