Shell

I thought I deciphered the meaning of faces
until in sudden twilight I discovered behind certain of them
a falling away of masks, and behind them, more masks

so that I couldnt ask each one the same question and be
answered truly. The masks talked at once loudly disputing
whatever chance remark I made

and worked upon me such a sorrow that I
lost all praise for the evening
for the pink ridge at daylight.

thus have I come back to the land from a sea of derision shaken.
unsure of the moorings.
like a child with a shell to her ear

listening for the voice of God alone.

mary angela douglas 8 march 2020