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Villanelle for the Prison Years

Did Joseph ever doubt?

After withstanding his master’s wife’s advances

Did he ever wish he had not won?

 

That first night in prison, the first week,

The years of nights with no more kingly dreams,

Did Joseph ever doubt?

 

Did the thought of her soft bed haunt his hard cell

In unrecorded temptation?

Did he ever wish he had not won?

 

Waiting for the cupbearer’s return

Every morning until hope died,

Did Joseph ever doubt?

 

He reached forgiveness, but on the way

Were there not moments… I wonder,

Did he ever wish he had not won?

 

You live with me now in an unfinished story, but remember to ask

When God had finished this one, then

Did Joseph ever doubt?

Did he ever wish he had not won?

Published inPoetry

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