Angel, Tin Drum, How Far We Have Come

angel, tin drum, how far we have come

from the ornaments stored in the attic.

let us make necklaces from the stars

for the Tree-

that they may cry out when we are older:

remember your former cranberry gladness

and the angel abra's whirl

and the golden sesame of your dreams:

the Nutcracker King in the kingdom of rats victorious:

at last, surrounded by sweets-  and dressed in pink, green or yellow, the

dollies, fuller than full of Turkey-pretend, their perfect

petticoats' satin eyelet matching

of the multicoloured twinkling of

your heart after school whole weeks before

and afterwards, our candy-cane 

school dismissal parties, one or two

cookies trapped under colored sugar

they won't get away

when angels ring from the

tinsel temporary rafters-

the rose red crepe paper bells:

declaring, little homework, now

for two holly and the ivy

gift-wrapped weeks!

angel, tin drum.

do not depart from me later on

when it's always January

and no one believes me but God

and snow is slush and no thing

whatsoever is glaced

on my cafeteria tray.

how I should miss you,

if you raveled!

I will hide you in my pocket

lined with red and green 

in the cherry cough drop New Year

while the lessons drone on:

you're a glimmering thread

held onto tight when the Tree's

at the curb; right

down to the fantastic Holiday

taffeta sheen and crackling of my Soul-

my green velveteen flats...

I know:

this is not the end of that.

and blindingly festive, perpetually

we will adore o, ballet dance and sing 

my angel, my tin drum

pa rum pa pum pum...

Our King

mary angela douglas 18 november 2013