From the Vaults: “Two-Faced Love Song”

Here’s another example of superhero-themed formal poetry from my grad school years. First, a little background. I based this off a story called “Two of a Kind,” written and drawn by Bruce Timm. As of this writing, you can read it for free at Comixology, and it’ll probably turn up with a Google Search. In this story, Two-Face is cured and falls in love with his angelic doctor. But when he discovers his doctor has a twin, the story takes a turn.

The villanelle is such an appropriate form for Two-Face poetry it’s almost too obvious. The most famous villanelle I can think of is the one by Dylan Thomas. You know it. Anyway, here’s mine. Unlike my previously posted superhero poems, it’s not a parody of any specific work.

Two-Faced Love Song
(A Villanelle inspired by “Two of a Kind,” by Bruce Timm)

I’m sorry I could not be love for you.
Such happiness was not for men like me.
You only wanted one, but I am two.

You thought you made me whole, and I did, too.
A fool, I let you fall in love with me.
I’m sorry I could not be love for you.

Then she arrived. You introduced me to
The darker half you had not let me see.
You only wanted one, but I am two.

And you were evil; I saw that was true.
Perhaps you loved me just as much as she.
I’m sorry I could not be love for you.

You killed your twin. It’s what I thought you’d do.
You simply could not wait to set him free.
You only wanted one, but I am two.

Now both of you are gone. I think I knew
That this would end in hate and jealousy.
I’m sorry I could not be love for you.
You only wanted one, but I am two.