On The Immortality Of English Literature

these living books and the fair dreams that rose from them
in all times, places, ornament of the souls
that dwelled before us in the daily round

or in the aftermath of war's affliction
the heart bowed down to the very earth in grief
and chains unbound:

still to be read, still to be understood

you will not vanquish here on earth this certain good

where Heaven has affixed a golden seal
and angels wept as well as men
to read what cannot be written again

what must remain enshrined
for all men for all time

so far surpassing was a language incarnated
In the Beginning; now, in my rhyme remembered.

mary angela dougla 10 march 2020