A rondeau.

Into the oubliette. Relentless sediments
Of time commit bright sparks to deep, dim, muffled past.
Where humiliations – error and shame – amass,
Accumulating in the dank dungeon, ferment.

Up-creeping fungal threads infect the present tense.
Enslave all fresh-struck thoughts, repeatedly outcast:

Into the oubliette. Relentless sediments
Of time commit bright sparks to deep, dim, muffled past.

Is there no way to grasp the endless loop, prevent
relapse, and thus achieve oblivion at last?
Instead of casting imperfections down, retract
The cru-el banishment. Forgive with grace, all sent

Into the oubliette. Relentless sediments
Of time commit bright sparks to deep, dim, muffled past.
Where humiliations – error and shame – amass,
Accumulating in the dank dungeon, ferment.