Maybe Someday In An Out Of The Way Antique Shop

maybe someday in an out of the way antique shop
you may come across an obscure issue of
The National Geographic

with a fold out map of Heaven;
not the heavens,
not god or the gods with a little "g"

but the real Jehovah
cloudy amid the stars
and wondering why

it took you so long
to believe.
and you will forget the ribbon candy like

glow of the Depression era glassware
for awhile
and walk out the door with the little bell above it

like Dante:
all beneath the stars and above them, too
for you, just for you-

fantastically illumined.

mary angela douglas 28 january 2016