Kingdom

then we were learning everything

only by playing in the afternoons;
to see the gold on the leaf of green,

glittering; 

to live in the music of fountains.
then Time was a scroll inscribed with parchment roses,
proclaimed from a fairy tale film

and we, the happy denizens
of a kingdom that could not fail,
sipping our Grandfather's root beer floats with the tv on.

and we could win  all the board games
using the yellow piece only,
drawing the correct card,

advancing three squares;
the scent of rains through the back

screen door, the perfume
we wouldn't forget.

mary angela douglas 15 july 2016