Second Sight

I have seen angels hidden in the room

quell interrogations with their sudden snows

and fasten the stars back into the broken skies.

the medallions on the ceilings.

I have seen nations lie and private nations too and reeling,

and cul de sacs where despair was cultivated by many

and force fed to the few.

.
I have seen it like a film that does not end

a film I've never been in, not with my soul.

I have seen shadow boxes of fragrant gardens made

and wanted to live there myself apart from the census takers

but I could not make myself small again like Alice

I have seen the sky fallen into crystal pieces and

this was my heart caving in though it was termed an ice storm

on the weather radio and you will say now

my words don't make sense but I know I am mapping the

truth of how things felt back then

following the careers of the prisoners of conscience;

and I know, metaphorically speaking.

I am accurate.

mary angela douglas 27 may 2020