Old Books Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

Ghosts of the alphabets linger here
Wherever crates of old books appear
Relegated to bin and landfill
Frontpiece and tissue torn apart
Emblems of old fashioned hearts
How will we face Heaven's judge
Who judged them so
Beauty not of a present time
Why would I banish you from my mind
Why would I think your voice is stilled
When all your pictures my heart still fill
The antique phrase, the chivalrous knight
The maiden in her maiden flight
Dante and Shakespeare and sweet Rosetti
Now they would make of you only confetti
Wall street ticker from up on high
But I will live with you till I die.
mary angela douglas 8 march 2024