Shadows Of Swans, Snow Tears Magisterial (Final Version) Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

an homage to snow, a snow prayer
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shadows of swans, snow tears magisterial
in this white valentine enfolded are
framed at the window from
which I cannot turn

there are silver apples in the air

will I ever understand
your pure spectacles so soundless
re-enactments of lost stars as they are losing

light

oh what in your mind makes it begin again...

how your heart breaks off
little pieces from a distant
sky to say something, anything

filtered through lace and lace and
mystifying - so that I cannot hear-
but only feel it-

shred your clear crystal flowers from on High
for softest reasons known only to You-
and hush the shadows of swans in me
that want to sing only the ends of the stories, oh-

there are silver apples on the air
this winter in Shalott let the wind through the
syllables of trees

stand still-

mary angela douglas 7 december,4 december 2010; 2 october 2023