the dying colors of the west

caught from the buzz of roller coaster joy
sputtering, stuttering, I come to rest
in a place of death I cannot destroy

five decades of tears hide the sweet pain of a boy
shimmering in the dying colors in the west
caught outside, far from the buzz of roller coaster joy

I too am trapped in this tunnel of white, no toy
was offered for building houses where I was blessed
no peace from a place of death I cannot destroy

happiness after your demise is nothing but a ploy
eternal rhythms thrum and drum on my heaving breast
I am caught outside of the buzz of roller coaster joy

silent prayers, one more white marble slab, in secret I deploy
courage against the grief of this dark morning to best
this lonely place of death I cannot destroy

hidden now deep beneath the ancient oak, you are a decoy
of winged cooing urging me to follow meekly this last quest
no longer caught inside of the buzz of roller coaster joy
I flee this place of death I cannot destroy



the dying colors of the west
[2008.12.4...a]
A Villanelle
Written for the Stretch your Style Forum