Month of Poetry #26: Australia Day villanelle

It is my habit to write a villanelle each year for Australia Day, or Invasion Day as it should more properly be called. They tend to be fairly grim. This year's is no exception.

I try as far as possible not to reuse rhyme sounds from year to year - so that knocks out "and", "sion/ tion", "ing", "ears", "ace" and "ung". Bit tragic because they are all great rhymes ... but let's see what I can do.

Previous ones are here:

2015
2014
2013

26 January Villanelle

None so blind as those who will not see
This country swims in blood both old and new;
Is this really who we chose to be?

Turning back all those who, desperate, flee,
From war and terror, all faint hope we slew;
None so blind as those who will not see.

Every bit is thieved, from sea to sea
From people here whose ownership we knew;
Is this really who we chose to be?

Our fearless leaders crow aloud in glee
As corporations mount their bloodless coup;
None so blind as those who will not see.

The rich remind the poor that nothing's free
While ever harder pressing down the screw;
Is this really who we chose to be?

One day I think we all will pay the fee
And curse ourselves for every chance we blew;
None so blind as those who will not see
Is this really who we chose to be?

- Kathy, 26/1/16