The Expeditionary Dream Arrives

[a song for children I almost knew]

the expeditionary dream arrives

packed in a green crate;

complete with ice floes,

the catalogue said.

you check to see no parts are missing. no stars!

cracking the lid as the golden seals

start barking; the rainbow shiver off the
 ancient ice is sparkling.

how will you know where to stash it till Christmas?

how will you keep the Seals happy and quiet?

and won't it be hard at school to count the days?

better bring a warm coat you daydream through arithmetic
and six hero sandwiches.

goodbye my friends, you'll whisper to the goldfish. 

to the coffee table rings.

will there be colas there? your child mind strays-

Polar bears streaked with the Northern lights?

plenty of daylight to set things right.

warm socks, packed in Samsonite (midnight blue.)

one clock to wind up. a flashlight or two.

sardines from the cabinet; strawberry jam

comic book stacks, a Thanksgiving ham

(brown sugar cured); last summer's sun.

your packing's done...
and then, your little sister wants to come.

mary angela douglas 6 december 2014