Were You

were you writing on the page of crystal
the whole time, even without knowing
and your eyes widening

took in too much light
so that you overflowed?
old stories told again are new

and fresh as each subsequent snow
they drift inside of you
dreaming, the apples cold,

the apples gold and stowed away
on paper doll rainy days
we unpacked our treasures

unfolding the theatre
cardboard winding stairs.
above them the painted moon

silk screened in lemon,

o Juliet, balcony fastened
do not breathe, Briar Rose
among the paper trees

until the evening air
is laden with stars.

mary angela douglas 19 october 2016