I'll Always Say No

the melancholy measures of the way
they used to write poetry
laying gold ingots side by side

then garnishing them with silver.
the moon disappearing every time
in the books on the cloudy Romantics

on my grandmother's/mother's bookshelf.
or they are edged with lace
as if they were valentines.

but they were, you insisted
and wanted to take all the poems
to school on Valentine's Day

to be read aloud.

who would listen
with the intercom blaring
every other minute with

announcements of school spirit
of snow days to come.pop quizzes popping
and talent shows full up

with tap dancing cheer leaders
brilliant in silver tap shoes,
modest showgirl costumes.

ask if I feel nostalgic for this:
I'll always say, no.

mary angela douglas 17 october 2015