thoughts on magdalen bridge

Saint Mary Magdalen in her penance thought

The moon’s pale face was closer to God

So she stood by the river to reach for it

Until her graying arms went stiff.

Frozen, imposing beside the never-still

The sickly, the restless, unquiet Cherwell,

They make me want to reach for you

And bridge the sea between us, too.

On my dull computer screen

Each night my shrouded sun sets

I see your darkness has not come yet.

Tonight, Mary says, if I truly love

I could hald the earth’s revolving

And catch you in a baseball glove.

But rivers reflect window lights,

Give substance to the clouded nights;

To comfort, and make me forget

When there’s no moon in sight.