Values (Villanelle)

“values exist in a transcendental realm, they can be neither fought for nor destroyed” (Enoch Powell)

Existing in a transcendental plain,

a spiritual realm, they are preserved -

our values are the truths that we maintain.

They can’t be fought for, they always remain,

they cannot be destroyed, they are conserved,

existing in a transcendental plain

they are beyond debate, we can’t explain

nor prove their place of safety is deserved:

our values are the truths that we maintain,

so we are fed by what we feed, and gain

by symbiosis. Yet we are unnerved -

existing in a transcendental plain

we seem to think they’re fragile, though they’ve lain

around since infancy and not disserved - 

our values are the truths that we maintain

no piled on guilt, or self inflicted pain

can cure them, they just bide, they are reserved.

Existing in a transcendental plain

Our values are the truths that we maintain.