there is no madrigal
for this, sad nightingale
in my heart.
there is no Emperor
(but there was).
there is no Death
harrowing his
songless heart-
not even the
silly jeweled bird remained-
surrounded by flocking
courtiers.
but caught in my heart's
hedges a bird sings
all night long
of the place where
they once were-
mary angela douglas 18 december 1997/3 august 2007
