A Valentine For My Grandmother

[for Lucy W. Young, forever.]

hibiscus flowered the late sun tints
the cream of clouds outside
the piano studio

where you rehearse
only for music's sake
the early nocturnes

and scales of pale green
grace notes wandering
the flake of gold off the tick

of the mahogony metronome.
oh grandmother in a red silk dress
teaching us all, all of this

and God, besides

how beautifully the birds must sing
in your Eternal Spring.

mary angela douglas 13 february 2016