4/10/18 Villanelle

by Shontay Luna

On the verge of three decades gone.
The purpose escapes me,
in this so-called holy matrimony.

Countless times awaiting a new dawn,
in which I could finally be free.
On the verge of three decades gone.

It seems I’m more of a pawn,
than anything else he could see.
In this so-called holy matrimony.

Where insulting lines are drawn.
And self-esteem is hit at the knee.
On the verge of three decades gone.

The random moments of kindness a con.
To draw me into fake love of thee.
In this so-called holy matrimony.

I found my soul, nearly dying on the lawn.
Having paid too high a fee.
On the verge of three decades gone,
in so-called holy matrimony.

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Shontay Luna is a poet from the Midwest. Her work has been published in Brittle Paper, The Riverbed Review, and [alternate route], among others. She studied poetry at Columbia College Chicago and is currently working on her fifth chapbook. You can find her work on Instagram @shontay_luna.