Only Because We Built Dream Cities Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

only because we built dream cities by the rivers of dream
were we accounted incompetents, ne'er do wells
those untrained for success, obstinate in class genus species

but I, she said I washed my cloth of gold, nevertheless
in the Infinite, where fountains flow from Christ's breast
and gold is gold though the dress is faded

after many washings, the sweet rosebud print...

we were accounted nomads, less than.
we didn't make a dint at parties.
those with no plan. of wayward bent

who studied castles instead
of what we should have. Always,
the songs of Caledonia,

the crenelations.

flip burgers they all said, while
flipping from station to station;
you'll get along.

we were the turncoats

barely registered on the GNP
less fortunate in Society
without our gloves, our hats

no requiescat, yet.

the orphaned dove of the Ark
from dream sea to dream sea flitting withouten any boat
falling flat off the census in odd years they noted it down

immune, but not to tears and the polarities,
abiding in the Trinity,
having had all our shots

and pot shots taken too as if we were zoo animals
always on view in quilted coats visible from the road.
and whatever the leftover cans are on Tuesdays

free, at the pantries, we have paid our dues
washing our souls by the river of dreams.
not self sufficient sniff the orderlies

and the would- be takers in hand.
we are God's merry band.
the ones you dread

as you dread sinking Higher.
the Cross that's not for hire

the lilies, the lilies, He said,
beyond all tiring.

mary angela douglas 2 december 2018