When Happiness Comes To Stay

we can't live in history
we have to live somewhere else
I know we decided very young

well live in clouds or underground
like hobbits in basement apartments
where all we can see are the shoes

of the fanciful villagers out the low windows
and we'll tell ghost stories 
if we please

living among ferns and heirloom roses.
we'll strike poses like the grand dames
and avoid the flim flams

wear dresses that trail the flower beds
when all is said we will not live where
people get blown away because a king

one day with a rusty sword says suddenly: Im bored
we'll have a war.

instead we will live in a magic cottage
with fine dishes in the cupboards
honey and butter

and we will pray to be far away
and mold our clay and sing old songs
and right old wrongs by just dancing

when happiness comes to stay.

mary angela douglas 25 january 2020