My Lost Unicorn Wandered Far

[to poetry]
my lost unicorn wandered far
from the tattered tapestry, unseen
to graze in someone else's

dream
the one with the jeweled soul
the one who would eat

from my hand fresh amethysts
every day
poetry, too, is wandering from the world

no longer wanted
living on scraps in
faith-based precints (faith in what - can't they say?)

they're vivid as ice-cream colors
but they can't recall
the King of all bright words and stars.

but there was no vanishing point
in my picture
there was no heraldic distance ever

and I have looked so far to find you
and take you home
while scavengers remained behind

snipping at the last few
shining threads
since they know better

how the chanson should end
being themselves
such household names

but I know how the song begins
and this small glissando
I hid well in my last pocket

against the dread day of your disappearance
these golden threads I have
wept anew, dealing with so much straw:

remembering the promises made to thieves

entreating the King of Heaven
to make your broken music box -

turn again, this way:
let the storied creature
with the kind and crumpling horn

clomp on before your many-hued gaze
led past confetti corridors
and children's best birthday parties -

home.

where you are breathing the color of roses
where you are breathing the color of roses

mary angela douglas 31 august 2009