I do not want to learn Beauty for the Test
to memorize the lines to make the grades
to be on parade because of what I know
I want to learn Beauty secretly slowly
over time, berry ripening on the vine
and under moonglow
a baby at God's knee
from every summer leaf
from every wind that blows
each how does your garden grow
and in corners where I am not watched
just come to terms with the joy and the pity
of all there is to learn
so that even to spill one thimble full of it
crossing a room
could swallow up whole Kingdoms.
mary angela douglas 26 june 2018
to memorize the lines to make the grades
to be on parade because of what I know
I want to learn Beauty secretly slowly
over time, berry ripening on the vine
and under moonglow
a baby at God's knee
from every summer leaf
from every wind that blows
each how does your garden grow
and in corners where I am not watched
just come to terms with the joy and the pity
of all there is to learn
so that even to spill one thimble full of it
crossing a room
could swallow up whole Kingdoms.
mary angela douglas 26 june 2018
