All

who could forsake this shining hour
sang roof to table
and bird to tree

in the garden of green fantasie
on the porch where we had ice cream
covered in fudge

and would not could not
hold a grudge
in the cherry sprung day

where we loved to play
with the sandbox pail
and the tea set dolls

and watch the roses bedeck
the walls and live the stories
not merrily read

and laugh so long
at the word succeed
caught by surprise

in the seesaw breeze
when all we needed to do
was breathe

the air of heaven
come down to earth.

mary angela douglas 8 october 2016