[Mark McDonnell]

While we're making silly jokes: Police say the cause of the Notre Dame fire is still uncertain, but they do have a hunch, back at the station.

(hey, nobody died right?)

[John Isbell]

I remember a comedy musical version of Richard III which opened with the number "I Have a Hunch I'm Going to Be King."

John

[Catherine Chandler]

For Martin and the multiverse.

[Martin Elster]

Thanks, Cathy. I love your poem! It made my day.
I really like the phrase: "chronon shred of hope."

Martin

[Allen Tice]

Since this thread has touched on the Notre Dame fire, maybe the news that fire brigades had been practicing recently for just this disaster

https://www.thisisinsider.com/firefi...esponse-2019-4

before the renovation began could be seen as common sense - or the response by sensitive individuals to an event so strongly covered in the media that its vibes echoed up and down the time track of this and any hypothetical parallel universes that they just did it anyway.

[Erik Olson]

Catherine, you have my gratitude for linking us to this poem, which I read with great delight. It is original, vigorous, and elegant.

Best,
Erik

P.S. In the very best villanelles only do I experience the poem as a true developing argument or unfolding plot undetained. This proved among those uncanny few, for me!

[Catherine Chandler]

Thank you, Erik!

[Martin Rocek]

Cathy,
a delightful villanelle, with a great ending.

I fear your epigraph may be mistaken--Paul was the primary author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Lane
But perhaps in an alternate universe....

[Catherine Chandler]

Martin, The original idea was John's and it seems they wrote it together, John writing the third verse. So, I guess it was a collaborative effort. Paul said, " . . . it might well have been my version of a memory song." Here's more. Perhaps the citation should read Lennon/McCartney?