Were You That Child

were you going to be that child
floating over the landscape
in a cherry balloon

your gloves from Sunday school
and in cherry velvet well, of course
pointing out to the clouds

the various countries below
in pink and green.
reciting Hans Andersen in your sleep

down to the last detail of the darning needle's
adventures oh we will sew the clouds together
you said so that the cities of snow may come

where all is blotted out except the sun
except the sun
were you that child of light

and you carried bouquets to the dances
sprayed in gold
as if Midas lived at home

gold flowers, gold shoes
bending no rules
happy in the law that made chiffon

you were that child
with puppet shadows on the wall conversant
and full the tide of your afternoons

when listening to Debussy on glass records.
hush, the music is glass do not break it
and so you were very still

the princess of stillness
gathering in
the majesties of let's pretend

and when and how and where
in the picture enyclopedias the world was

and rains filled with echoes
sparkles in the wind,
the comfort of old trees.

mary angela douglas 24 september 2017