[for Thomas Merton]
melodious the patriarchs we revered
disappearing into corners of the break rooms
where we hid their scripts
from the this and that
of the things we ought to say
when being evaluated for
the 15th time that day
but in our heads auld chants
we played and roundelays
all rose bright and with marigolds entwined
when sorting out the twine from the nails
and listening for the sound of the rails
beyond the vending machines implore.
the endless stream roved on
beneath it all...
in winter working in the drafty halls
inured to everything till Spring
or the bookstores opened
up like pirate treasure
in the Malls, or metro stops galore
paid for, by the way
with temporary employment
living in a postage stamp apartment
where we hoarded up
the eternities;the memories of God.
mary angela douglas 7 august 2016
melodious the patriarchs we revered
disappearing into corners of the break rooms
where we hid their scripts
from the this and that
of the things we ought to say
when being evaluated for
the 15th time that day
but in our heads auld chants
we played and roundelays
all rose bright and with marigolds entwined
when sorting out the twine from the nails
and listening for the sound of the rails
beyond the vending machines implore.
the endless stream roved on
beneath it all...
in winter working in the drafty halls
inured to everything till Spring
or the bookstores opened
up like pirate treasure
in the Malls, or metro stops galore
paid for, by the way
with temporary employment
living in a postage stamp apartment
where we hoarded up
the eternities;the memories of God.
mary angela douglas 7 august 2016
