DIRGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY

earth stand still that tears may gather

drowning the sun

the firmament entire

earth stand still

let wind quench fire

let the windows of the stars

draw down their shades

let business grind to a halt in May

at the height of Spring

for the grief that is hidden in the every day

and in everything

for the worldwide grief

that is never timed out

but that somewhere rears its snake hooded visage

or with its pincers bites the lovely moment and stings

in the out of the way with callous witnesses or none

and brings to its knees even one unsuspecting

civilian of good will or Christmases 

our heads be bowed, our heartbeats to silent tolling wrung

that even one child is struck down with a momentary hand

while the traffic roars ahead to progress and good times

to satisfy a whim or nothing at all now,

as in ancient times.

mary angela douglas 20 october 2022;20 february 2023