the night was starred with lapis lazuli-
a color from Giotto's frescoes
imported long ago from
Afghanistan-
a long time ago
the heart was open
as the open sky:
the dream of love spun
blue as the immensities
but we have wandered under such dark stars
and torn our souls out in
merciless kingdoms
reputed to be kind
now all color is washed from the skies
the nightingale's pain will
crystallize in vain
when frescoes from our ruined
imaginations
bear the result-
mary angela douglas 19 september 2001
