I LOST THE COLORS OF GIOTTO

to my grandparents

 

I lost the colors of Giotto: 

the steady pouring of

earnest angels; the

forerunning fuchsia

of generations of light

and fountaining ardor.

I lost the sorrowless

carmine quiet, the

rectitude of stars lapped

in lapis lazuli

the indigo stairwell of clouds.

I lost the olive branching, the

sweet cerulean days; the small

birds gathered in the lemon wind; 

I lost my place at the shell pink window

and grieved for the shimmering ladder, 

misplaced; 

through the vacant castle I sought so many things

but the way was fused I lost

the sunset aureoles

the unchastening wing

then it seemed that I lost Earth

and all my tears flowed upwards

in the Space where you were not: I lost

the sundial in the shade

of your last rose

mary angela douglas 5 june 2009