To A Young Artist, Anywhere Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

and to George Herbert


fill the sky with stars,
your very own:
rose arias, soft green

galaxies-
a periwinkle moon
no matter what they say
inlaid with a mango music

always on beneath the surface
of your matchless dreams

believe the dark green stains
of the moon on so much dewy grass
you must walk barefoot in!

any weather-
any distance-
I tip my rose-tipped hat to you!
through roads not strewn with moonlight
read psalms, not tea leaves-
don't despair-

pray in every color all the time
survive all disrespect- tending
the stark bright lilies of your mind

as Christ when all alone did-

flame on towards the true-hearted bier
of your last words on the subject-
working out the inward scarlet

drumming of your soul,
fight your fear

as others did, before you-
God willing
may you rise on your own Easter day

with brand new things to say-
in Gold-

mary angela douglas 26 october 2010