Who Could Believe The Tyranny Of Clouds

who could believe the tyranny of clouds
in their set designs
fixed to one point and

glowering in the sunset.
and the grass withers under the proud
and the onstage miracles

are few.
who could light candles here
and wait for anything real

to be revealed
and not play the fool?
what we have here

the well paid lecturers intone

is the tyranny of clouds.
and the crowds crowds
are lost so lost to themselves

in adulation of the minor.

mary angela douglas 16 february 2016