For Harold Bloom, Passing Away October 14 2019 Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

FOR HAROLD BLOOM, PASSING AWAY OCTOBER 14 2019

the ghost of Autumn flits and you are no longer here but there

who thought it fit that you should cease now

has left the door open

and the classroom not so empty somehow

we wonder where you are

and hope you land

on the nearest star

and that you are welcomed

in the House of the poets you praised

your friends, mentors who passed away before you

the marvels of so many days, ages, epochs saved

oh nothing is in vain

despite all damning with reluctant praise

that you endured

how glad we are that you were here

and pray you're in a kinder sphere.

mary angela douglas october 19 2019