Emigre Life Not As It Is Pictured Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

we were made to hide in Cezanne

the planes of light the leaf scarcely sketched

and there you have a house lemon yellow

of sorts the ghost of our speech

populated with its allusive fairy tales out of reach

the chimes of arvo part

this is emigre life not as it is pictured in the New York Times

more venerable venerations over time

the chimes of arvo part

the infinitives split disclosing the pearl

the icon that is weeping that is weeping that is weeping

into the mirrors of God.

mary angela douglas 29 november 2019