The Veil

how can the mind hold everything we knew
since we first opened our eyes in the world
and saw everything through mist

and yet they say we do. why can't we recall
the colour of the grass when we were two
remember what it felt like falling down in it

why is there a veil over so many things
if scientists say yes it is true, it is all recorded
somewhere.

so many feelings. for what we have passed through.
who's keeping the photographs from us.
is it we ourselves

not wanting to be overwhelmed in a sea of gargantuan
detail oh but even the least slant of the light
on any given morning as it fell

through the kitchen window oh well
what can I say I would give a kingdom for it today
with the chance

just once to say to the

shadows on the wall
I loved you all
oh tree in the wind back then

where are you
who saw me first begin.
and I saw you begin too.

mary angela douglas 17 october 2019