Setting The Table

setting the table
the butter pale yellow on the butter dish
with the butter knife

just so
the stack of wonder bread beside it
oil and vinegar in their casques

for the salad
the pepper mill
bought with S&H trading stamps

the pride and joy
also the willoware or the melmac
kitchen bright

each night
the pastel paper napkins.
these things remembered

50 years ago
predictable as rain
or a windy day in april

oh, if time were more flexible
I would ride, no gallop back
to be in that again

with those who loved me when.

mary angela douglas 24 november 2016