won't we feel lonesome then in Heaven
for the way the stars looked from earth
in Heaven they must be so close
as though we'd flown into the core of them
and turned ourselves all silver and plum
but o from earth they gather in clusters
when you're out in the country
and seem to be winking at you
a thousand thousand radiant seeds
just the same as in childhood
when your Grandfather said
yes, child we live in the Milky Way
how hard to give up the earliest view of them
and flowers, and the earth after rain
the fragrances
no wonder men wished to live here forever
despite wars or sickness or unexplainable glooms,
misfortunes
we grew so used to being here
sending our roots down deep
as though we were ancient trees
oh please I whisper to the Heavens
to the gatekeepers there
in early summer when the trees are too green
I am not ready yet
and doubt I ever shall be
mary angela douglas 30 june 2023
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