Code

they comfort themselves with silver flecks from the moon

starlight in patches on the evening grass

the wind in the eaves sings this will not last

this will not last

they comfort themselves with the taffy pulling sun

that stretches their shadows until supper comes

the wind in the eaves sings this will not last

soon all summers will be past

they comfort themselves with waves that reach the shore

and buckets of sand and violets galore and with desserts

when they can ask for more

the wind in the eaves and in the strawberry patch

says children children lift the latch

to journey farther than they thought they would

far from the enchanted neighborhood

children children this will not last

the wind sings in autumn and in the winter blast

and later looking down a whitened road

they understand the winds sad code.

mary angela douglas 14 october 2020