you couldn't return my phone call
but I thought you might come
along some route I
had yet to imagine. (in case of
spiritual fires or real emergencies)-
stand on the doorstep and
say something familiar,
as if it were last week and
not last century
launching the porch swing
with one fingertip
into the
summer sky-
speak into the wind as into
a receiver!
as it happens, sometimes,
in other people's poetry-
how many days or nights
unaccounted for, like counting
stars, not possible,
thinking you would come:
still looking for some
dream caravan by some
mirrored pond's reflection:
the dancer balanced by the castle
and the soldier never wavered-
mary angela douglas 4 february 1998/10 may 2005/30 august 2005
