Shell Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I thought I deciphered the meaning of faces

until in sudden twilight I discovered behind certain of them

a falling away of masks, and behind them, more masks


so that I couldnt ask each one the same question and be

answered truly. The masks talked at once loudly disputing

whatever chance remark I made


and worked upon me such a sorrow that I

lost all praise for the evening

for the pink ridge at daylight.


thus have I come back to the land from a sea of derision shaken.

unsure of the moorings.

like a child with a shell to her ear


listening for the voice of God alone.


mary angela douglas 8 march 2020