Back Lane
a villanelle
As spring rain sweetens the cool air of night
showering a million stars at my feet
a villanelle
As spring rain sweetens the cool air of night
showering a million stars at my feet
moonlight falls washing the rough blue-stones white
where back-lane fences circumscribe our life
where back-lane fences circumscribe our life
and palings point skywards like jagged teeth
as spring rain sweetens the cool air of night
kids play touch-tiggy, hopscotch, pick fights
hang around with dirty knees hungry ‘til tea
where moonlight washes the rough blue-stones white
escape is planned here for the next bank heist
safe haven for all who trespass this beat
where spring rain sweetens the cool air of night
and young girls seek refuge - give birth in flight
poverty - harsh mother of this their street
where moonlight silvers the rough blue-stones white
and memories uncurl to rise and bite
struggle on this street where life and death meet
where spring rain sweetens the cool air of night
moonlight still falls, washing the blue-stones white
Pamela Sidney 2004
Pamela Sidney 2004
