All Souls Stood In The Wicklight

all souls stood in the wicklight of no candles burning down
and you just wanted to be the
Princess with the sun on her sleeve

oh now I only feel the sheer sleeve's shadow
its refingered gold on old sheet music
blowing along the ground

in the Whirlwind standing still as Whitsun's Eve...

not yet= I will- and could have been the wind
through ancient trees and should have been the
Princess with the moon on her sleeve;

the small stars in your sleep
and yet, was not.
was not nor will be

cried my angels in the dark
without prophesying.
you will carry your heart 

like an ivory charm
and bruise your hands.
look out of the window when

the diamond stars come down
and gather them in,
the songs you have found

and the half sleeves of the swan

mary angela douglas 30 october 2015