God of Peace

My granddaughter, Brianna, grade 12, and I converse daily on her English assignments. She’s writing a novella on pirates and an evil spirit. She has a poetry assignment and introduced me to Villanelle. I was intrigued and tried my third attempt at poetry in three years.

Earlier that day I had occasion to have words with an obnoxious neighbor who was blasting rap and heavy metal music from a radio, disturbing the quiet of the neighborhood. He’d consumed his fair share of alcohol, which didn’t help our discussion. Hence my topic for the Villanelle.

God of Peace sing your song
Let your rhythm sooth my soul
May we learn to get along

So much in this world is wrong
We dig ourselves a deeper hole
God of peace sing your song

May we learn to sing our song
Make our being whole
May we learn to get along

What am I doing wrong
That I always lose control
God of Peace sing your song

For peaceful yearnings I do long
But living takes it’s toll
May we learn to get along

I hear the sounding of the gong
That guides me to my goal
God of Peace sing your song
May we learn to get along