Tears Have Gathered Toward The Mouth Of the Rivers

[Revelations 21:4]

tears have gathered toward the mouth of the rivers.
they are flowing southward
on other maps, they flow north

through mountain passes
or vanish in little creeks
in cul de sacs of forgotten valleys

or east or west or who will
gather the gathering tears
or are they beading in the rain

or at higher altitudes,
almost becoming snow.

on winter's branches,
suspended like chandeliers?
like chandeliers or

colored like crystaled crystalized years
in endless caves suspended.

they cataract into dreams
or lacelike waterfalls, behold!
where the green and gold is.

oh dearest Lord forever nigh
oh gather the flowing tears

the tears on every map that's
colored with countries.
they branch in the orchards

of our sighs
oh dearest Lord
let them no longer flood

deluge and drown
the lanes of the bewildered heart
or linger shining in the dark

in terrible declarations
of the midnight rainbows.

so let the clouds disperse

that your angels gather us, away
from the ancient floodplains.
into the Day where they are no more.

mary angela douglas 27 april 2015;17 march 2016