I DON'T KNOW

why did we expect a jeweled wand

a ball dress to match

a pair of slight wings

was not because we were all closed up

from the truth of things

but that we saw farther in

so does the rose disclose without disclosing anything

and shines in a fragrant light

why did we anticipate Spring after Spring

the world overfilled so lovingly with flowers

and stars in the after hours and long after

still the silver aftermirage or the ivory

of a field of vision like first snows

I don't know.

I only dreamed it so.

mary angela douglas 1 february 2023