Daphne In The Rustling Serene Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the myth is one of many

expressing the need for escape

for sudden harbor.



as in the children's fairytales

when the children pursued

turn themselves into a lake



a bridge

the mirrored skies.

Daphne, crystal clear



in her musings chose

the tree to vanish into

so she grew bark



and branches, leaves in the instant roots

and golden twigs

in the early the perilous Spring



and foiled the Enemy. rustling serene.

and under her boughs as well and the kind winds filtering through

beleaguered children sought refuge too



as with surmising angels.



mary angela douglas 22 july 2020