A Villanelle Assignment

The Explosion of September 19, 1951

he lost himself, the moment the explosion took his breath away
a flashpoint; he saw his future unravel beyond the window frame
lost himself as smoke smudged the sky orange and grey

sepia and silver nitrate, time-stained and measured by yesterday
a newspaper photograph of the accident; a toll: the dredge’s claim
he lost himself, the moment the explosion took his breath away

dark shadows of night, counting sorrow by each bouquet
received, by each sympathetic hand, every mention of name
lost himself as smoke smudged the sky orange and grey

a black crow carried an invitation to his brother miles away
the wind cooled skin dampened the heat of July’s flame
he lost himself, the moment the explosion took his breath away

his only company stars and grace, the dead mourn everyday
his mind pressed by what would never be the same
lost himself as smoke smudged the sky orange and grey

tomorrow is filled with his memories of yesterday
the colour of midnight revealed in his eyes, his shame
he lost himself, the moment the explosion took his breath away
lost himself as smoke smudged the sky orange and grey