Villanelle

I wrote a villanelle for class. It's a poem that has a pretty strict form. See here for a better explanation than I wish to give right now :)

Mutability or The Traveling Speed of Resolution

I do not wish to miss my train
so I wind my clock at ten past two
and sit still where it stays the same

Your body sways, it leans and wanes
aloof I turn and say to you
“I do not wish to miss my train”

Your eyes are fury, rage not tame
I resign, you reach, I rue
and sit still where it stays the same

I'm your boon and you're my bane
under my breath I sigh so true
I do not wish to miss my train

I will flee and freedom gain
you will search and weep and brood
and sit still where it stays the same

In its lack, I, change became
I'll ride to where it all is new
I do not wish to miss my train
and sit still where it stays the same

© 2009 Emilio Gándara

Elegy For My Late Sister

At a tender age, unknowable wisdom
Seven past the decade, treading on feeble step
Joyful beyond poverty, sick beyond healing
Given death for mercy, may she rest

Born before me, dead before me
Daughter of a mother, mother to many
Trusting love, she was speechless
Trusting us, she was family

Her end given as late news
In grief I shed a salty sea
As a boy, she taught me death
and its infinite separation

She was old in my youth
And left before she saw me grow
I pray God forgive her in her innocence
And that when I leave she sees me grown

© 2009 Emilio Gandara

No Theorem version 2

Hey, so using the criticism given me in class, I rewrote the octave in this sonnet. Here is the new version. Thoughts?

No Theorem

The one in her eyes reflected is me
mind running infinitely standing still
a circle of gold unbounded and free
is in my hand, and in my spine a chill
I stand and kneel before her, my future
two can be one at the 'yes' from her lips
but a 'no' results in mind's rapture
and our parallel lives curve at the tips
bursting thoughts in rationale and justice
endless testing spinning process reason
this rejection taken swiftly caused this
not a man but shadows for a season
love in one direction as a vector
magnitude in vain with no reflector

© 2009 Emilio Gandara