Song To Emilia, From Half A Wing, From Ilya Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

for Emilia Kabakova

I think of a pale enameled sky

with half dreams queuing up to fly

and thoughts like white lead nights

in a semi icarian mode take flight yet

flutter here where he has lately disappeared

the angel that we both comprised has fissured

immeasurably in raspberry tints in azure hues

one wing is crying on the ground

the other wing bent into the clouds

a dislocation murmuring

I try to sing..

high above Long Island Sound

with half wings each

the sundered angel, we

how can we ever now complete

the installation crystalline

how can the half angel sweep with one wing

the windmill angel winter brings

when weeping thus upon the ground

or iridesce the lost and found

while the other half is Heaven bound;

becomes the last and quizzical installation

of her swaying grief.

the golden tree is split

and leaf from leaf

there is no fixing it

the canvas snows

can't be consoled.

and life has tolled

an endless bell

dizzying itself with silences.

with unfinished radiances.

mary angela douglas 1 july 2023