Black Cherry

black cherry in the dusk

sparkles and fizzes

(what's left over

that you didn't drink.)

and in the grass

or still playing in the street

the neighbor children linger

as if it were sweet

twilight's sequined birthday.

black cherry is the taste

of the cola in the glass;

the richest ice cream.

you would always choose

at last, on family vacations.

the screen door creaks

when you go on remembering

black cherry in the ladened cream

of a dream you're dreaming it again

perhaps your sister chided

wearing all her gumball machine rings

at the same time.

what rhymes with black cherries

is a black cherry dress you dream on:

a sash like moonlight

sleeves of pure lawn...

mary angela douglas 8 february 2015