Villanelle for Valerie

"Oh comely
I will be with you when you lose your breath
Chasing the only meaningful memory you thought you had left."

--Neutral Milk Hotel, "Oh, Comely"

Villanelle for Valerie

We made our way through the fairgrounds
Sun scorching sphinxes on our skin.
We wore golden crowns, golden crowns.

We browsed the stands, like tiny towns
You practiced Spanish with the men.
We made our way through the fairgrounds.

You bought me beads; you bought us rounds
Of beer that drank like bathtub gin.
We wore golden crowns, golden crowns.

The sun sank low; we heard the sounds
Of boys playing "Oh, Comely." Then
We made our way through the fairgrounds.

And now, as dusk comes settling down,
I can't forfeit what might have been.
(We wore golden crowns, golden crowns!)

For we were young once, and knew no bounds.
We broke hearts, lived forcefully, and then--
We made our way through the fairgrounds.
We wore golden crowns, golden crowns
Made of paper.