Syrian Villanelle by Linda Ann Strang

– from Star Reverse

~ for Sea Watch and the Polish border refugees

My wishbone breaks within my wounded breast.
In the foam of the sea, expectant women flail
for hope is a vacuum that nature detests.

Cold is the ocean blue infants ingest.
Tangled in seaweed is modesty’s veil.
My wishbone breaks within my wounded breast.

Waves foam flippant with prayers on their crests;
a gale has mocked both the brave and the pale
for hope is a vacuum that nature detests.

There are things with scales in the optimists’ nests.
Is hope a sparrow triumphant though frail?
My wishbone breaks within my wounded breast.

The border guards parade their bullet-proof vests.
The rescue-boat captain is crying in jail
for hope is a vacuum that nature detests.

They burn with cigarettes the souls that they arrest.
Blood and wet hair will dry out on the shale.
My wishbone breaks within my wounded breast
for hope is a vacuum that nature detests.