Marilyn Peck: ‘Eloise’ and ‘Villanelle to Retired Farmers’

Eloise

Eloise isn’t affectionate.
She sees things in their rightful space,
taking up no more of the place that is intended
or her to be displayed. She isn’t dismayed
when she isn’t included in conversations.
She answers questions directly without needing
to know why the “yes” or “no” is required.

I know her only from the time she goes to Paris.
My memory is still in present tense.
I love her so much, the way she whizzes
around the boulevards, the black, white and pink of it.
The pigeons, the poodles, the roundabouts,
the Eiffel Tower, Toulouse-Lautrec and Moulin Rouge.

Mixed up with the glamour of it all are the memories.
Spring in the City of Lights. The thought brings delight.

Marilyn Peck

Villanelle to Retired Farmers

We are tired and need much more rest this year.
We doze and yawn; both farmers are retired.
We wake to birds and will not shed a tear.

Gaudy lorikeets swoop, they show no fear.
They’ll eat the luscious fruit that they desire.
We’ll shut our eyes; we need more rest this year.

Ripe lychees are few, greenish-tinged and queer.
There are pests; pesticides are not required.
We watch birds eat and will not shed a tear.

From a nearby state forest, comes the red deer
To forage fruit unharvested and tired.
We’ll shut our eyes; we need more rest this year.

No dogs will bark, no dogs will hunt the deer.
We’ll sit in sun and mow grass as required.
We’ll still our feet, we will not shed a tear.

Bats will fly to destroy the fruit this year.
No pest control, no warning shots are fired.
We’ll stay in bed; we need more rest this year.

Summer winds are dry, causing leaves to sear.
We worry less, there are no pickers hired.
We are retired and need more rest this year.
The birds will sing; we will not shed a tear.

Marilyn Peck