Northern Lights

[to Rainer Maria Rilke and his angels]

this- glazing of angels

melting of Chartres.

this- herd of winged colours:

lightenings of mint and rose.

edged in deep lemon, inside of  a Shell?

a shell of blazing quiet assailed by shimmering.

and if it has a name, whose is it?

who are you etching in icy skies

these violet banded flights

outside the frightened houses

drawing back, as if they could, and chalked in white

as if to mark the place excessive Beauty ranged:  

raveling and strange:

the Distant Heart's glissandos,
ringed with snow

mary angela douglas 25 december 2014;last two lines added
 26 december 2014