FOUR ANGELS STOOD AT A RUINED GATE

four angels stood at a ruined gate

one to weep and one to wait

when waiting was the only thing left

when all the world was feeling bereft

but the evening showed openly 

the unshaken stars

oh grief’s kaleidoscope, hard to forget

when turning the muted colors slowly

but I clung to one image only

of four angels at a ruined gate

one to sob and one to wait

and one to carry my soul away

If there should be no more daybreak.

one angel shall unmentioned be

and so retain the mystery.

and I shall stand in a whirling wind

and carry my songs back home to Him

who waits and bides and keeps the clock

and knows our thoughts

and what we’ve locked

away, away in the treasure stores

beyond the heart’s sad, trifling wars.

mary angela douglas 18 november 2023