Followers

Thursday, 11 June 2020

THERE WAS NO CHOICE I HAD TO GO ALONE


THERE WAS NO CHOICE I HAD TO GO ALONE

(A VILLANELLE)

By Peter Woodgate
There was no choice I had to go alone
When divisions in belief showed lack of care
I grasped the words carved on those slabs of stone.

Planted them in this head of skin and bone
Used them as a base for daily prayer
There was no choice I had to go alone.

To bouts of deep regression I was prone
When viewing scenes that looked to be unfair
I grasped the words carved on those slabs of stone.

A message fabricated like the tone
Caused the bedrock fabric to tear
There was no choice I had to go alone.

And whilst they laughed I heard somebody groan
Would I believe it when they said “we care”?
I grasped the words carved on those slabs of stone

I would not listen to their idle drone
The credence in my heart did not compare
There was no choice I had to go alone
I grasped the words carved on those slabs of stone.

Copyright Peter Woodgate

3 comments:

  1. A moralist! Well written, I grasp for the hidden meaning in vain, simpleton that I am.
    [To bouts of deep regression I was prone] surely depression would make more sense. I sense that going backwards (regression) is the key, but I fail to grasp it and yet I enjoyed it and will puzzle over it long into the night. But, it was a delight...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think there is a deep and profound message in this poem, but alas I am too dense to grasp it. Lovely rhythm and I like the repetition of the first line which made the poem memorable. It contains a deep sense of melancholy so I guess it was written by a believer who is failing in his duty to convince others.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautifully poetic. Worthy of a revisit.
    Shelley.

    ReplyDelete