Angel With Ferns In A Far Landscape Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

a little Italianate the violet twilight
in the background sets off the shimmering of the ivory pillars
on either side-
you know that easily don't you?
but who notices the

ivory shadows on the far snows
the rustling of trees in the olive groves
you hear as though it were real

while gazing at the
unfinished portrait of the angel with
ferns, with stately roses
saffron-splendid,
the quizzical angel of the far landscape

in between Christmases and cirrus clouds
with a lemon grove to watch over
maybe an infanta in a burgundy gown
the baby princess with a pearl smile

but that's in the next painting
isn't it?

mary angela douglas 18 october 2013