Villanelle

Blue-black scorpion shell
      Helen of Troy
            And no word of farewell.

Faded seaside hotel
      Dead drummer boy
            Blue-black scorpion shell

Packs of silica gel
      Numb hoi polloi
            And no word of farewell.

Noiseless telephone bell
      Devil's employ
            Blue-black scorpion shell

Empty galvanic cell
      Irreal McCoy
            And no word of farewell.

Où est ma Tourterelle?
      I jump but for no joy.
            Blue-black scorpion shell
            And no word of farewell.


For Susan Brown.