tuesday afternoon villanelle

the form requires that we know the right words
employ them in the correct way and show
our thoughts have still more staying power than birds

do things by wholes not quarters halves or thirds
explore the metre let the flowers blow
the form requires that we know the right words

seek not to know of angles nor of surds
let algebra and geometry both go
our thoughts have still more staying power than birds

poets know action are not simply nerds
their understanding with right rhythm will flow
the form requires that we know the right words

the lowing cattle pass by in their herds
the herdsmen happy their prompt slaughter crow
our thoughts have still more staying power than birds

and now the send-off comes the final turds
that fall from out that place that all men know
the form requires that we know the right words
our thoughts have still more staying power than birds