You Couldn't Return My Phone Call Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

you couldn't return my phone call
but I thought you might come
along some route I

had yet to imagine. (in case of

phantom fires or real emergencies) -
stand on the doorstep and

say something familiar,

as if it were last week and
not last century

launching the porch swing

with one fingertip
into the

summer sky-

speak into the wind as into
a receiver!

as it happens, sometimes,
in other people's poetry-

how many days or nights
unaccounted for, like counting
stars, not possible,

thinking you would come:

still looking for some
dream caravan by some

mirrored pond's reflection to arrive.

the dancer balanced by the castle
and the soldier never wavered-

mary angela douglas 4 february 1998/10 may 2005/30 august 2005; 27 september 2023