She Curled Their Hair In Rags

[to my grandmother Lucy W. Young]

she curled their hair in rags;

then brushed it till it shone new penny bright.

she polished them like apples

and dressed them in sherbet colours

with moonbright petticoats stiff and starch

and sometimes,

sprayed on her cologne and pinched

fresh roses in their cheeks:

sweet maids, be good; angels can do no better;

then sent them out to play on the swing-set

in a backyard universe

with their curlicue friend,

the Dog.

while she taught music.

she wished them merry days,

these, her favorite poems...

mary angela douglas 29 may 2014