Villanelle Competition Entry: Nine

What Helios Sees

While the sun is shining on
Medea at her window
she watches till he is gone.

His hand raised, her Jason
turns his farewell to a show,
while the sun is shining on.

Steadies hands for what’s to come,
folds her love away down low,
she watches till he is gone.

She turns to wake their sons,
and stops, his footsteps echo,
while the sun is shining on.

She must do what must be done
out of sight in shadow, so
she watches till he is gone.

She must show that she has won!
Soon to deal the final blow-
while the sun is shining on-
she watches till he is gone.

Caitlin Maling