Villanelle from a Bastard Son

No sentiment of love do you forsake

these emotions must outward ebb and flow

and giving birth does not a parent make.

Of fleeting pangs of labor you partake

so unlike the pains he feels as he older grows

and no sentiment of love do you forsake.

Those nights , alone and thoughtful, lie awake

wondering why she might have gone, he only knows

that giving birth does not a parent make.

Years later as a gentle life he makes

a place for affection found as offspring grow

but no sentiment or love do you forsake.

Caring, too late discovered, causes hearts to break

self-serving, empty, putting on the show

but giving birth does not a parent make.

An empty drink, drawn bitter from her own acidic lake,

faithful, truthful, heartfelt love you'll never know.

But no sentiment of love do you forsake,

for giving birth does not a parent make.