We Leave At Your Door Oh Most High Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

we leave at your door oh Most High
the conversations we could never have
with anyone else because they fled
we leave at your door instead
this code of tears
of the locust ridden years
we leave
and we leave again
the places where we have been
where only you could find for us the exit
from dubious and deceitful men
illuminated in a sudden ladder of moonlight
rejoice oh my soul for you were found whole
in the perfume of lilies, of many roses though
we had been led we had been led
where our footprints bled through a wilderness of mirrors
scattered and broken;
wild pretense!
and to the edge of being nameless,
but you said we could never be ashamed
though we were singed though acid curled
the edges of the last pictures taken;
the evidence, yellowed with age.
I hear the recording, departing angels cry:
you did not, You do not lie.
nor your beleaguered children.
mary angela douglas 16 october 2020