No 1: VILLANELLE

image by lidia colavita

LIDIA COLAVITA

The night brings the better illusion.

Though I could will a seventies soul here and 

dance with someone, there is no word for losing

them in another language, under the neon infused 

vault of azalea skies, when the music ends

the night brings the better illusion.

I wish someone had told me sooner

you don’t have to gain a country to stand 

alone. There is no word for losing 

yourself in the moves of wonder

and regret while surrounded  

by rows of drunk students. The better illusion

is the moon stretching her diaphanous

limbs with nothing to offer, but a 

dance with them there. Is no word for losing

going to let light’s grip loose? 

The night brings the better illusion.

Dance with them. There is no word for losing.