The Last Note Rising At The End of Crystalline Song

for Hans Christian Andersen

I shall break myself into pieces of the star brimmed foam
the sea maid sighed all on a wave
with a fond look home

foundling, coral kingdomed and beset with human woes
bartering pieces of moonlight
bartering pieces of moonlight

for a violet repose

this is the wave resounding
and her presence fled.

this is all she said.

mary angela douglas 24 december 2019