Living Should Be That Way

we seemed to dream the days away
living should be that way we thought
when we thought at all

our thoughts like clouds.
like clouds the wind lifted the snows
as though it would always be

in our backyard the same
glistening, our cheeks rose with cold.
why is it at the time it seems the

moment cannot die away in gleams and
that it will always be Christmas
and a Christmas sky above us

the evergreen expectancies.
never the candles burning low.
we were dreaming then I know

into the coloured lights

the straw roof of the manger
and the crowning star
dressed as angels when

with cardboard wings

spray painted gold
by our Grandfather.
we would enter the vestibule

so velvetly.

mary angela douglas 27 november 2017