Robert Starkey
Villanelle
Ivory Combust
She dwindles in Ivory’s blazing crust
And burrows beneath its aged paling skin
Dwelling within the core she yearns for lust
Burning with the lashing desire of must
She craves to the bones attaching within
Mechanical device matched her combust
Peeling the scorched away she owes due thrust
The ghosts of the meadows scorching near thin
And steal her away in midst wild heaped gust
She gave in completely and then her trust
One would call up the feelings of chagrin
Rather she knows in her heart it’s all unjust
Inching her way out of Ivory’s crust
She crystallizes jades over her skin
In the bright of the most divine combust
From flames to wind she falls victim to rust
Upon the end she built up to begin
Another gust and sing away her dust
And find her way in the ashes of lust