I Have Been Awarded Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I have been awarded

the moon and the sun

the small stars indiscernable at dusk

but that will surely come;

outrageous Grace

to seek God's face,

dried roses from a childhood made of pinks

and blues, pale greens

the ozone scent of orchid rains

in what I breathe and drink in only

are they only I inquire of you and wistfully

dream birds that warbled

over the fruited plains of all you are to me,

America, lost and gained

and shimmering beyond all realms of OZ;

what faith in you could mean!



I have been awarded

year after mystic year past all blank absences

bright options to be grateful while still here

even for as my Grandmother said,

'this vale of tears'



this vale of tears and the afterthoughts that

linger past all our carnation pretty years

and april, april everywhere

in flower at least in mind my epithalamium

of days too fugitive and the ties

that bind

past all too human despairs,

disparities, the amber legends reclaimed

that we might seize the ghost lit fires of

Icarus again

never blinded by the sun fueled veerings,

vertigo

when all, when all, my soul, is never

said and done and disappearing

but a golden becoming



for all words are not lost when the heart is

side winded

they are merely foundlings beyond

the probabilities of rust and dust

seeking their Forever

in us, we happy laden few

who love still love the Christmas Baby in the

manger:

the poets minor and major

the sweet musical arrangers

without disclaimers.

mary angela douglas 15 october 2022