VILLANELLE OF THE POET'S LOAD

This, my first villanelle
Shall not be thrown away.
It ends when I've written it well.

Far from a scattered shell
Of firsts and thirds, nay:
This, my first villanelle

Will be composed as a bronze bell:
Tolling, not slowing its sway --
It ends when I've written it well.

Only its name I can foretell:
At the top, the title will say
This: My First Villanelle.

Whether an ancient unknown spell,
Whether love, or a poet's dismay,
It ends when I've written it well.

But why should I wade through hell
Looking for a heavenly day?
This, my first villanelle,
It ends when I've written it.

...Well!