Five

Look up down the road, try to look kind, a smile in your soul, the stars show the way, cold in your time, you're back to stay, no need for a comb, you'll walk the miles, what you don't own, won't make any claims, your face alive, know how to be brave, there is no window, your face doesn't shine, always another show, never mind future days, don't burn out the fire, even being away, so there you go, you're home in a while, before the cock crows, no longer a child.

Four

Wonders if she's right, to head for the sea, if she'll be happy, she dances and parades, stands before the enemy, her soul works this way, the shouting and fighting, feeds her unease, time breeds necessity, her eyes near the fire, cold in the season, good reasons to leave, what's down the line, before she flees, worrying about freedom, lilac as the night, Spring's done with heating, she needs to heal, bags weigh heavy at night, it's fun to believe, she'll never sit tight, or wade through treacle.

Three

Will you arrive the same, beneath the ruins, each time we separate, in this tired game, now i feel fine, i dream of the sea, sail away this time, what does it take, for you to remain, is there no avenues, i can't explain, so close by you, no need to hide, my thoughts in train, I howl at the moon, are you coming home, i know there's a flame, not some bell of doom, you can't fasten fame, either live or walk away, can we ever say, what makes a tune?

Two

The diagnosis half true, she smells the Limes, on a tree lined avenue, acts like she knows, the ties that bind, blows hard on her bones, hope holds you aloof, she knows that is right, except there's no clue, she won't be alone, in this cosy light, to break out the stones, but has to keep going, through cold evening night, when the kids phone in, she sits near the flue, it's not like a crime, for a fire to warm you, thinks she'll be fine, drink leads to ruin, it's just a strange time, to wonder if you're through?

One the number poems of 22 ines taken from page 25 of older villanelles

The sun rises uneven, cars fill up their lanes, it won't wait 'till evening, beyond the night is right, need you to say, there is a life outside, an awful rush of energy, coffee tastes the same, who needs reason, sail away on the line, it matters that you stay, not go off this time, with my dawn novena, I smile like a hurricane, my body swells a treat, it really is fine, in and out I pray, drink a little sweet wine, bars wave like wheat, it's a morning shame, not just my swollen feet, that you'll rub again.

Zena

Go on then be free, you're only skin and bone, who am I to relieve, or demand what to say, sing the song I own, along this brief highway, a taste bittersweet, penetrates my soul, floats it on the breeze, who are you to state, the only pain is home, when you're in the fray, you smell of the sea, no human need to groan, against a rock of eternity, sing as you pray, console with those you own, no house makes you pay, call on time to leave, don't really want to know, is it you who believes, I walk away on stones?

Xanthia

Don't turn away silent, we can go home again, maybe in a better time, do what we can alone, need not be in shame, rivers rise on their own, laugh in warmer climes, no one's to blame, part of me is dying, beyond that war zone, the shifting sands of fame, a place we know, return us on the tide, all you need to say, it will be all right, when promises get broken, spirits dance aflame, they call to the stones, love bows down at night, howls at ancient places, waits for lamps to shine, will it be the same?