On This Dreaming, Forgetful Earth (Final Version) Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

on this dreaming, forgetful earth

let telegrams go out

from the missing

in words formed from mist

to say only this

I have not forgotten

I am not forgotten

let the lakes widen on other planets

becoming more luminous and blue

wave on wave without rue

rippled from the stone

of far away wishing

I have not forgotten

I am not forgotten

let the children suddenly stop crying

for a pair of wings

sung to sleep by the silver birds

the birds of dream

in their returning

and under a moon of cream

spilt on the floors of the Unseen

and the Beautiful, still.

that has not forgotten

that is not forgotten.

mary angela douglas 22 august 2022; 28 february 2023