My Poems Leaf In The Air Their Emerald

my poems leaf in the air their emerald and then

ochre seek, perhaps or crimson leafing in the wind

to drift solitary whirling up in clouds of their leaving

strewing the pavement, longing to break into stars,

starrIness lifted up again into some jeweled orbit

braceleted and charmed or with jade cataracts armed

oh that it could be so not, otherwise, lost in snows

or glazing over, time out of mind with the snow melt

aeons away...

time out of mind beyond these earthly railings

let them sail please God on some bright opaline sea

illuminated by thee

and never failing or lift them into the gardens

where the skies are orchid overhead; my roses, a rosy maze

a pearl embroidery that cannot fade from the loom

and the speed of light resumed in or out of doors and healing

on the vast shores christened by You.

mary angela douglas 23 june 2020