Madonna With Two Angels

Under the sky without a

The long, ripe, rippling of the grain;

Light, broadcast from the golden

Over the blackberry fences floats.

Madonna sits in a cedar

Tranquillized by the warm, still air;

One of the angels asleep on her

Under the shade of an apple tree.

The other angel holds a doll,

Covered warm in a tiny shawl;

The toy is supposed to be fast

As the sister angel: in dimples

The grave, sweet charm on the baby

Repeats the look of maturer

That hovers about Madonna's eyes,

One of the heavenly

From far ethereal

Where neither doubt nor trouble intrudes.

Ponder here in the orchard

On the truth of life made manifest:

The struggle and effort was all to

That the best of the world is home and love.