Robert Southwick Richmond

PRO NATIVITATE BEATAE MARIAE VIRGINIS LXX: Villanelle

She justly claims a song from me.

It’s been so long since that sweet day,

Her loving-kindness oh how free.

 

The stars in distant harmony,

With Sun and Moon in Virgo’s way,

She justly claims a song from me.

 

My callow eyes then had to see,

Chalk and dinosaurs away,

Her loving-kindness oh how free.

 

Our adolescent agony:

For her there was no joyful lay,

She justly claims a song from me.

 

Our years have gone to seventy,

And I will soon be on my way;

Her loving-kindness oh how free.

 

From mountain pass she blesses me.

Here down on earth, what can I say?

She justly claims a song from me,

Her loving-kindness oh how free.