Book Exchange

when you look at the window that's streaked with rain

and the ache in your heart feels just the same

you could almost be twins with that windowpane

I think, looking back to some childhood days

often at school, when the class was hard

and the teacher too

and math was the last thing you wanted to do

the x's and y's and the fractioning parts

and Christmas was gone and the days stretched thin

and life seemed sad and you couldn't tell when

it was ever - going -  to -  end.

suddenly out of the gloom and rain

a cherry red book on the library cart!

you read in that book of a hillside green

a little stream and a cottage nearby

where all were merry under the sky

and the book in your heart grew invisible wings

and ever since it just sings and sings

on a branch in your heart now so many days

so sweet and so helpful on every page.

mary angela douglas 8 january 2022