The Veil Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

how can the mind hold everything we knew

since we first opened our eyes in the world

and saw everything through mist



and yet they say we do. why can't we recall

the colour of the grass when we were two

remember what it felt like falling down in it



why is there a veil over so many things

if scientists say yes it is true, it is all recorded

somewhere.



so many feelings. for what we have passed through.

who's keeping the photographs from us.

is it we ourselves



not wanting to be overwhelmed in a sea of gargantuan

detail oh but even the least slant of the light

on any given morning as it fell



through the kitchen window oh well

what can I say I would give a kingdom for it today

with the chance



just once to say to the



shadows on the wall

I loved you all

oh tree in the wind back then



where are you

who saw me first begin.

and I saw you begin too.



mary angela douglas 17 october 2019