Villanelle No 1

In my youth, I remember an innocent time When I dreamt that big dreams would come true But all those dreams have since been stolen. Fate is made hard by the evil thoughts of men. Tho' I strove for good, ill luck accrued. In my youth, I remember an innocent time When life was unscripted, the future was golden. Dreams burned as bright as the morning sun's hue But all those dreams have since been stolen. Power is the motive behind the heart's assassin. Thus, life hurts like a sword turned in the wound. In my youth, I remember an innocent time When I sought in vain the faith of a paladin Who'd champion my cause, to be approved But all those dreams have since been stolen. God curses both the righteous and the wicked But punishment without fault seems cruel. In my youth, I remember an innocent time But all those dreams have since been stolen.