Drinking The Cocoa Up

the froth in the cup is so beautiful
tiny rainbows winking round the edges
how can I drink it down

oh but I will and then another
cocoa when the marshmallows melt too fast.
why can't they make marshmallows last

in hot chocolate;

is science not up to it?
drinking cocoa out of season
suddenly you wish you had some

animal crackers to go with it
in the barnum and bailey box
with its string carrying handle

all because of Christopher Morley's poem.
come home, Christopher Morley, you dream

from wherever you are
stop by the little corner store in Heaven
and bring some by, old ghost

or we'll have cheese toast;
you'll like it.

and then you start to cry

mary angela douglas 13 january 2016

P.S. In case you may not know this, here is the poem by Christopher Morley called "Animal Crackers" I referred to. It's my favorite children's poem I think.

Animal Crackers 
By: Christopher Morley

Animal crackers and cocoa to drink, 
That is the finest of suppers, I think; 
When I'm grown up and can have what I please 
I think I shall always insist upon these.

What do you choose when you're offered a treat? 
When Mother says, "What would you like best to eat?" 
Is it waffles and syrup, or cinnamon toast? 
It's cocoa and animals that I love the most!

The kitchen's the coziest place that I know: 
The kettle is singing, the stove is aglow, 
And there in the twilight, how jolly to see 
The cocoa and animals waiting for me. 

Daddy and Mother dine later in state, 
With Mary to cook for them, Susan to wait; 
But they don't have nearly as much fun as I 
Who eat in the kitchen with Nurse standing by; 
And Daddy once said he would like to be me 
Having cocoa and animals once more for tea!