Heaven Lost

A heaven lost and now we fall.

Far better days than in that place,

For what we lost was no heaven at all.

How can it be, Jove's tragic call,

A soft descent and sweet disgrace?

A heaven lost and now we fall.

Our life-sworn love now twisted drawl.

Hell's searing flames will kiss and grace

For what we lost was no heaven at all.

The nether's dusk does me enthral.

Oh, how it burns, our scorchèd trace!

A heaven lost and now we fall.

The string that binds us, devils pull.

We plummet down towards their base

For what we lost was no heaven at all.

Far from the days of cruel love's thrall,

We hurtle through this tempting space.

A heaven lost and now we fall,

For what we lost was no heaven at all.

                                                    ________________________________

Composed in a few hours, and inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost and the concept of the Fortunate Fall as discussed by literary critics such as Arthur Lovejoy, this villanelle embodies the pains of human nature and what it means to lose what was once loved. It explores the tragic partings of those, despite their heavenly love, are not destined to be in their own Eden. Is this predetermined? Or can they overcome their course to hell? My confusion, derived from very relevant and personal experience, is demonstrated in the poem.