WHO KNEW THAT THE WINDS WERE GREEN BEFORE HIM

(for the poet Federico Garcia-Lorca)

who knew that the winds were green before him
and in a dubious time
you with your painter's eye

the acute last accents of your soul
folkloric,the song; is it the last one sung on earth
murmurs the moon, and certain others

cognizant of your doom
be careful Federico
for the shadows looming

at your back grow dense
they said to you
in the imperfect tense

sensing already, ya el poeta
no esta aqui: is it in vain
lament itself stands still

while the light silvers

over forgotten balconies
and the stage set moon

for very grief, flings herself suddenly
over such insubstantial rails-
while Granada grows pale.

mary angela douglas 10 october 2017;18 june 2022