We Thought We Ruled The Country Of Clouds

 WE THOUGHT WE RULED THE COUNTRY OF CLOUDS

we thought we ruled the country of clouds

when we were children dreaming aloud

in soft voices like clouds too

our singing voices in the sky blue room

our bubble blown laughter in the yard

and larkspur sparred

and the clouds were happy with such

unsovereign sovereigns and bloomed

in many colours like Joseph's coat

favored by God favoring us in our sunset

retinues

and in the dawn when we turned in our sleep

to dream the dream of waking up

where it is Christmas and summer at the very same time

ah, we were free

and fair to bequeath this drifting

that cannot cannot abide

though in bridal veils festooned in the dimming rains

but only loved and adorned with garlands

in the aftermirage

of their floating, floating marginally away

leaving everything !we cried in the doorways

in pink and blue dismay

though angels warned us, on the winds

this lacework cannot stay.

mary angela douglas 28 july 2021

1Mary Angela Douglas