Le Belle Au Bois Dormant (FINAL VE3RSION)

did all colours fall asleep
her children wondered later 
hearing the tale recounted

so that she was dreaming blind?
or did the eternal watchman say
close the blinds

close the vermillion curtains figured in gold.
the scene can't shift itself.guard her repose.

who would guess that a single spinning wheel
would be the cause 
of time standing still.

when no philosopher then on duty
willed it so.
wrap shawls about her pale as starlight receding...

so that  all colours sleep
and fountains freeze
let pastels fade from the paintings

indicated in half started works
layering a pink sun

between two green hills

for it was early Spring when she fell asleep
100 years she slept and this was grace,

however else it may have appeared;

on this they all agree.
the courtiers , the king and queen 
the kitchen cook and his assistant

blue bottled flies on the parquet floors.

till each awoke

in antiquated dress or to fresh droning.
but still her children can't complete
the final riddles posed

did all colours sleep

and was the sky a blank slate;

did she in slumber harbor
the last of the roses?

mary angela douglas 17 october 2017;18 may 2024