Another Villanelle

Beyond the Darkness

In Darkness

In darkness, in death’s shadow, let us say
it is our right to laugh them both to scorn;
beyond the darkness lies the light of day.

In life’s primeval shadows, once we lay
in silence, waiting for the rise of morn
in darkness, in death’s shadow. Let us say

that silence is no more a final ray
of nightfall than the waiting to be born;
beyond the darkness lies the light of day.

All those who craft the darkness, dreaming they
alone will laugh and we shall pay, forlorn
in darkness, in death’s shadow–let us say

to them that we shall be the dreamers, pray,
and laugh for we shall bring the dawn. We’ve sworn
beyond the darkness lies the light of day.

And morning–we shall bring it from the gray
despite the dying, but we’ll be a thorn
in darkness. In death’s shadow, let us say
beyond the darkness lies the light of day.

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