"The beloved's face" [villanelle]

The case for loving Meher Baba has not been made
no proper public argument has been observed
I don't know if the world's a sham or a glad parade

everything   they say   the beloved's face pervades
the ball thrown   like an ocean wave   comes gently curved
while the case for loving Meher Baba   hasn't been made

perhaps my life is a Vaudeville act   or a serenade
a Virginia reel?   or a ghazal?   many a dish is served
but I don't know if the world's a sham or a glad parade

into the deep end dive!   or amid the shallows wade!
is the water brisk or fine? the swimmer has got to be nerved
while the case for loving Meher Baba has not been made

like the dewdrop on a lotus leaf   things gleam then fade
from incessant love   has the lover's banner flagged or swerved?
I can't quite tell if the world's a sham or a glad parade

the unmanifest rests far beyond the reach of the poem's aid
yet the unmade poem resembles dough   unbaked unserved
has the case for loving Meher Baba   never been made?
still I don't know if the world's a sham or a glad parade