Poem: After Connor (AtS, G)

[gehayi]

I started wondering what it must be like at Wolfram & Hart these days, with Angel trying to do right and feeling that such this was futile, especially in view of the guilt he must feel for making a devil's bargain with the Senior Partners...and losing Connor. This poem--my first rondeau--is the result.

He claims all's well, we still serve right--
Then locks and bars his office door.
He scarce speaks to us anymore
Except with coldness, rage or fright.
I think the Powers he'd indict;
Redemptive acts? A useless chore.
He claims all's well, we still serve right--
Then locks and bars his office door.

"I have too much to answer for,"
He says, "Some wrongs can't be put right."
Wincing from these words' venomed bite,
Whispers a name with eyes too bright...
Then locks and bars his office door.

*Yes, I know that the penultimate line is supposed to rhyme with the last one. I tried that, but it lessened the impact.