The Shells And Stones (Villanelle)

The waves will wash the shells and stones
As flotsam tumbles over shores
And leaves the bodies and the bones

Of creatures water now disowns.
Despite the secret hordes it stores
The waves will wash the shells and stones

Ashore, and then the wave’s soft groans
And sighs before the wave withdraws
And leaves the bodies and the bones

To sky and air, while wind intones
A song of death across seashores.
The waves will wash the shells and stones

Across the beaches no-one owns
And cleans the sand the tide restores
And leaves the bodies and the bones.

The tossing sea will give no homes
Discarding those it now abhors
The waves will wash the shells and stones
And leaves the bodies and the bones.