And Be Raised

for Walter De La Mare

walking at dusk in starlight 
some have lived
parting the trees as moonlight does the clouds

making their silvery vows
scene after shining scene.

what is it now you waited to believe 
caught between centuries as you clearly were
dim is the thought you thought that you preferred

when shitfting. gleam to gleam.
then you are shadow
sorting out what you dreamed.

bear with it as you can
the livelong days
pass, as you pass among them

in your praise.
tread as you may in velvet
the sad maze

you'll still be kind
in the wanings, and be raised.

mary angela douglas 6 august 2019