On Saint Saens "Aquarium" From The Carnival Of The Animals Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

(there are many days when I feel this is the most beautiful piece of music ever written)


to saint saens for the jeweled music, once upons remember when

I think, he dreamed of the Queen's Aquarium

the angel fish, the waving of


the purple and amber fins beyond all this

and this is where she goes toward orchid overtones

in the ruffling palace offended then


to ruminate in silver and blush quartz melting

in mother of pearl and liquidly, paradisically

to fashion a world


where things are smoothed out. no longer quizzical.

and the fish know this as such fish can

who are fed by a royal hand


pure particles of gold. this

is the turning of the soul

in Eden's shade remade.


in the healing waters of

mysterious days.

ethereal afternoons.


mary angela douglas 7 october 2018