Parlour Song

every day is a star that shines on you
even through the mists.
what will you do

will you remove the cloud cover
will you polish the mirror of the sky
will you sigh oh bye and bye

if I get to it. maybe, in the amethyst afternoon
and withhold your dream horses at the ford
pulling on the jeweled reins...

till  the night comes and the moon too.
to shine on you. with missed refrains.
what will you do now in your snowy dress.

there is still enough light to see by. you confess
the vase of flowers in the parlour had
such hopes for you when you brought them in from the garden.

just - try. play something on the piano.
put a glass record on the victrola.
hum to the carpet sweeper. strum on the mandolin.

through the beaded curtains, let a little joy in.

mary angela douglas 3 july 2020