Near The Shade Trees Outside The Gates

where have you been they may ask you,
their meaning no cherry pastry;
and pretend to want to hear the answer

as if they cared

to what impelled you to walk out
under the night skies
and flecked with an opal light.

and the stars as if they knew who you were.
that's the part that really bothers them.

a sudden breeze comes up
and you feel, freedom, someone's freedom
is coded there.

but they are unaware
and continue with
the interrogations

they were born for;

while you compare
because you got that far in school
the purpling of indistinct shadows

on a wall.

mary angela douglas 23 september 2016