Drifts Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

though I am lost as though I never learned directions

as if the weather vanes had taken flight

off the main trail with no illumination



losing all bearings overnight.

gone are the tracks before me others made



clear in the snow each imprint bright as bright



gone are the traces now that cheered me

gone are all landmarks out of sight.



how will I know where fences were or houses

how will I recognize the sound of wolves

everything fades from the familiar highways



everything vanished into the tangled woods.

still is the night and yet it is not Christmas.

stars behind clouds have locked themselves away.



when everything beautiful I cherished

was made and unmade within a single day.



why is it now Your presence feels like drifting

cryptic the chords I can no longer arrange

yet I strike the flint of dreams past grieving when



sometimes your shadow shines like the blaze of day.


mary angela douglas 6 february 2020