So Shy In Our White Straw Bonnets

so shy in our white straw bonnets
with the realistic cherries bunched on the side.
this is Easter we felt

in the mild sunshine.
in our pastel dresses as if
going to the party of the Lord.

and Grandfather polished our shoes on Saturday
and gave us the collection dimes.
then we sang the hymns we thought of

as robins egg blue you know
"When Morning Guilds the Skies".
later at home, finding the Paas eggs

cradled in the irises
we got cold
and went inside filling up on gumdrops

jelly beans, the chocolate rabbit stuffed
with marshmallow cream.

and this was Easter.this was like a dream
and makes me cry now.

mary angela douglas 25 october 2015