The Angels Discuss A Few Earthly Matters Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

they vote each other in
and give each other prizes
the angels laughed

and shrugged their white-gold shoulders
what can you do
they all go to the same parties

in the same party hats while we-

we celebrate in the little avenues;
the cracks in the sidewalks where
purple flowers take root

they haven't even named yet.
but what will we do I cried
who write, or sing or paint

but can't get through?
there's nothing lost (they heralded
in their green satin Christmas voices)

you made from the heart.
you'd be surprised
how anything else is dark here and-

and at the surprises in store

for the unimportant on the Earth

mary angela douglas 15 april 2015

Note on the poem: I do not mean to suggest that everyone who is famous or who has won prizes for their art is not creating from their heart but I do mean to say that there are always and there have always been many truly great artists, writers, painters, musicians, sculptors, architects and poets who have achieved neither fame nor riches nor even an audience at all who are known only to God or a very few people and who will not be forgotten in Eternity.

Like my mother said once, only half-joking, that 'Anonymous' sure wrote some good poetry!