They Seem Afraid To Write About The Stars Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

in memory of John Glen...


they seem afraid to write about the stars
in a wonderstruck way, the colour that descends
and the leaves that stray across any footpath


carelessly rich with beauty, near decay.

why are they
ashamed of beauty
and of praise

I try to understand
and find rank mockery

on every hand
and so I learn to read
the ancient poets, one by one

pretending that this world has run its course
or will have soon
and I will stay in love with the moon, the

endless illuminations night or day
and praise the God
that made it all this way.

mary angela douglas 16 december 2016