"Slanting rays" [villanelle]

The faces of the buildings catching slanting rays
the cityfolk are mostly heading home
I'm missing something central to the nights & days

the fiber doesn't break although it twirls & frays
I linger with espresso & a poem
the faces of the buildings catching slanting rays

the music might be maudlin but the lyrics praise
the pathos of the soul that's forced to roam
I'm missing something central to the nights & days

how come I fail to fathom life in all its ways?
my years are slowly drowning in the gloam
the faces of the buildings catching slanting rays

It wasn't that I wanted words the poet says
I want a thing that's spoken but unknown
I'm missing something central to the nights & days

the evening clouds might settle bringing pleasant haze
the morning tide might mention sand & foam
the faces of the buildings catching slanting rays
I'm missing something central to the nights & days