As If You Were Born In The Snow Queen's Mirror

as if you were born in the Snow Queen's mirror
you will grow up to astonish the world
and they will thank you for letting them know:

only puzzles matter, and solving them for the undertow
so that you know that you know you know
you are the brightest bulb in the room

the room being what used to be called a universe
and now is something larger
devoted to kicking out the smaller planets

you'll say to them merely:
we have to let you go.

larger and larger like a hot balloon

your world will flourish with a slide rule smugness.
while those of us defunct stay at home
and toast our toast by the grate

and still can't wait to reread Great Expcctations
or all the greats.you think of as taboo
because greatness is offensive.

you don't even have picture puzzles stuffed into

your children's stockings at Christmas
I would have sniffed had I known your kind earlier.
You who made poetry into a grid

for the accessibly accessible.
never mind said the voice of all roses
in my head,

the saint of words.like prayers
not to be exploited in the overly public square.
in heaven their music is allowed

their opulence, the Crown.

and overinflated numbers crowd in
jowl to jowl.

mary angela douglas 28 november 2017