Summer Afternoon, Pink Ice Cream Still Life

the baby dolls sleep.

outside, the summer glazes shine.

the children play everything inside

and they are serious about it.

and they feel

the shadows of leaves, of trees

on the pastel walls

through translucent curtains

and in the hall,

the butterscotch pools of light

the dog barks at.

this summer is pale green

as if it remembered spring

and in the yellow kitchen

in the pearlescent dishes

pink ice cream slowly melts.

mary angela douglas 27 june 2014