Square Dance Dress In Pink At 12 Years Old

square dance skirt in heavy pink cotton
embroidered in a darker pink's small
rosebuds and a scarf of the same material

around the neck, setting off a peasant blouse.
this was a costume my Grandmother had made
for me for a school play, a dance, a rondo;

picking out the fabric and pattern herself

more beautiful than skies on days when the
skies seem stained with strawberries and
I feel this valentine down to each subtle ruffle

on display in its tissue lined box
(as if it were yesterday)
and cannot say anything, being

so overcome, marveling

at the threads of love that will sustain me
till Kingdom Come, till
I begin to buy all my clothes at Goodwill, if ever

and eat tuna fish spaghetti regularly.

or when on sidewalks as I pass
in an ancient winter jacket I feel
the glances of the more than luxurious

who cannot discourage me

because of that day, heart beating fast
to dance at the school assembly
my Grandmother gave me

a square dance dress
even Royalty couldn't surpass.
not even in the aftermath

with their high High teas

when my Grandmother and I
sat and talked and shot the breeze
drinking our warm cokes in

the gymnasium  on folding chairs till
little stars came out to meet us
stenciled on the school room windows

and it was time to go home.

mary angela douglas 9 january 2016