ST. LOUIS, 1971

 

ST. LOUIS, 1971

For Debbie Burton Linhorst, in eternal friendship and joy

I was catholic in that hour

Because it was September

And every singed leaf was

Singing to me in the white gold light

And fluttering at my feet

Its own unique epiphany, fireworks display

And feasts of invisible splendor

Sprung up and I read Marguerite, are you

Grieving, but all I could feel was a fine catholic rapture

And the scholastics edged in a bright unravaging fire

Of very light and the quaking trees

Along the blazing boulevards of St. Louis.

mary angela douglas 5 april 2024