Villanelle: Martin-Pecheur, the Fisher King

Villanelle : Martin-Pêcheur*, the Fisher King Walk not dark alleys nor the dim-lit lane Darkless suns lighten not the skin in vain Cry not « Help ! » « Help ! » lest you be thought insane Stand not your ground in the land guns profane Hark ! the voice struggling through ageless pain Walk not dark alleys nor the dim-lit lane Think not who will keep vigil high on vane Winds echo myriad voices with rain Cry not « Help ! » « Help ! » lest you be thought insane Seek not to proclaim your forefathers’ bane Your pathetic looks of sufferance contain Walk not dark alleys nor the dim-lit lane Your life you bartered for a head sans mane Who thought well he had everything to gain Cry not « Help ! » « Help ! » lest you be thought insane Towards which Red Star* must spirit emplane When your King his son wishes you ordain Walk not dark alleys nor the dim-lit lane Cry not « Help ! » « Help ! » lest you be thought insane • Martin-Pêcheur : French for « kingfisher » ; here the Fisher King * Red Star : Red dwarfs in our Milky Way where some 60 billion planets circulating them could likely support life. © T. Wignesan – Paris, 2013