She Wishes Somehow Still A Reprieve From Heaven Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

won't we feel lonesome then in Heaven

for the way the stars looked from earth

in Heaven they must be so close

as though we'd flown into the core of them

and turned ourselves all silver and plum

but o from earth they gather in clusters

when you're out in the country

and seem to be winking at you

a thousand thousand radiant seeds

just the same as in childhood

when your Grandfather said

yes, child we live in the Milky Way

how hard to give up the earliest view of them

and flowers, and the earth after rain

the fragrances

no wonder men wished to live here forever

despite wars or sickness or unexplainable glooms,

misfortunes

we grew so used to being here

sending our roots down deep

as though we were ancient trees

oh please I whisper to the Heavens

to the gatekeepers there

in early summer when the trees are too green

I am not ready yet

and doubt I ever shall be

mary angela douglas 30 june 2023