Dolly Villanelle by Sher Schwartz

Dolly Villanelle     

––after Dolly Parton 1946-2026

Hello Dolly, I bring your gifts to dark world.

Your dresses, guitars, blonde wigs, and smiles–

Dolly, I bring all who thank you.

When disasters took their homes, you gave them 

back. Your country songs gave us medicine.

Hello Dolly, I bring your gifts to dark world.

Your tunnel is lit with rhinestones bright as

diamonds, and here's your unforgettable 

voice. I bring all who thank you.

Your career gave us wildfire relief, 

children's books, new hospital beds, and laughs.

Hello Dolly, I bring your gifts to dark world.

You said, Honey, you don't have to be a 

raving beauty to be special, and be 

beautiful. I bring all those who thank you.

You said, If I see someone without a smile

I give them mine. Magic is inside you.

Hello Dolly I bring your gifts to dark world.

Dolly, I bring all those who thank you.

@ Sher Schwartz

Sher Schwartz

Sher Schwartz is a published essayist, poet, musician, and retired Assistant Professor of Humanities living on a 200-acre historic farm in Eastern Oregon. Her chapbook The Beautiful One’s Ark was published in 2024. 

Feature Image Courtesy of Picryl.

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