I don't remember seeing this one, and it's so well done, it would have stuck in my mind. A good poem in this form is difficult, a good one one this subject doubly difficult. And yet the writer pulls it off, in spite of the obstacles. An heroic effort! ;)

Thanks,

Bill

Really nice work,

except for:

clings to despair and fury like a lover.
Guilt comes in waves, pounding her like a reef.

I'm very surprised those lines made the final cut--yikes!

I couldn't disagree with Philip more! Here is a form that generally calls attention to itself getting buried in rather intriguing content, thanks, in part, to the repeating lines which are marvelous. Twin engines.

RM

This is one of my favorites. Don't recall seeing it earlier. I agree with Rick that the villanelle form gets lost, partly because the language is handled so well, and partly because of the varying of some of the repetends. For me, this goes well beyond Beowulf, and "thug" and "thief" are terrific word choices.

I remember this being workshopped, too. I like it very much.