As Ever

A villanelle

How shall we know the righteous from the ill?
I asked my father, and he cracked a smile:
as God’s men always have, and always will.

His children ruminate upon the hills
and quarrel over cants on which to die;
how shall we know the righteous from the ill?

By studying the name in which they kill?
Be wary, son, they ornament their lies,
as God’s men always have, and always will.

How can we see, when villainy is frilled
with lace and plaits and glamorous designs;
how shall we know the righteous from the ill?

By pleasuring our every whim and thrill?
The path of ease shall be forever tried,
as God’s men always have, and always will.

The good of ancient days is holy still,
though buried for a time, He is alive;
How shall we know the righteous from the ill?
As God’s men always have, and always will.