The Wendy Bird Down

for J.M. Barrie

it's sure they want to shoot the Wendy bird down
she murmured half dazed falling through the sapphire clouds
the haze over the lagoon

it's always this way not another
small hearts banded cut out from a valentine
seemed suddenly sifting down her

in the blue gauze of the dress and the day
half wounded bird am I am I
the mermaids almost heard her cry

I think of her that way.
and of the devilish fairy not at all.

we of the bluebird tribe are small
our thoughts are golden
shot from the high towers

wounded in mid song.

mary angela douglas 23 august 2019