A Cop With No Off Switch

A villanelle inspired by Maureen Dowd writing about Mare of Easttown

For years now I have wanted to write a Maureen Dowd villanelle.

Inspired by her recent interview with Kate Winslet, star of Mare of Easttown, I have finally done it. I’m happy to agree it’s not a good villanelle as long as you’ll agree it’s not any worse than Maureen Dowd, which, since she “wrote” this, should be no surprise.

“A Cop With No Off Switch”

Mare Sheehan is anything but a limp biscuit. 
Slouching in flannel guzzling Rolling Rock scarfing cheesesteak 
this cop with no off switch from “Delco” is a big hit.

Her world’s made of opioids, grief, and afghans, hand-knit.
Kate Winslet plays Mare like a train with no brake.
Mare Sheehan is anything but a limp biscuit. 

Next to Winslet’s Philly accent, Rocky’s looks like a bit.
Her ugly jeans, filled by thighs only Peloton could make
for this show set in “Delco” that’s a big hit.

Can you believe it’s got its very own SNL skit
and twist ending full of heartbreak?
Mare Sheehan is anything but a limp biscuit. 

She’s played by a creamy-skinned Brit,
who’s at home with a JUUL, how she loves to parktake,
on this show set in “Delco” that’s a big hit.

She’s white and she takes no shit.
Mare reminds me of that time I got baked.
Mare Sheehan is anything but a limp biscuit. 
She’s a cop and a woman, in my mind, a big hit.