Emigre Life Not As It Is Pictured

we were made to hide in Cezanne
the planes of light the leaf scarcely sketched
and there you have a house lemon yellow

of sorts the ghost of our speech
populated with its allusive fairy tales out of reach
the chimes of arvo part

this is emigre life not as it is pictured in the New York Times
more venerable venerations over time
the chimes of arvo part

the infinitives split disclosing the pearl
the icon that is weeping that is weeping that is weeping
into the mirrors of God.

mary angela douglas 29 november 2019