Villanelle

Time can say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you, I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time can say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you, I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time can say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you, I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away?
Time can say nothing but I told you so.
If I could tell you, I would let you know.

W.H. Auden

A Sleeping Bee

When a bee lies sleepin'
In the palm o' your hand
You're bewitch'd and deep in love's
Long look'd after land
Where you'll see a sun-up sky
With the mornin' new
And where the days go laughin' by
As love comes a-calling on you
Sleep on, bee, don't waken,
Can't believe what just passed
He's mine for the takin'
I am happy at last.
Maybe I dreams, but he seems
Sweet golden as a crown,
A sleepin' bee done told me
I will walk with my feet off the ground
When my one true love I has found
Sleep on, bee, don't waken,
Can not believe what just passed
He's mine for the takin'
I am happy at last...
Maybe I dreams, but he seems
Golden as a crown,
A sleepin' bee told me
I will walk with my feet off the ground
When my one true love
I has found...

Written by Truman Capote