When We Ate Strawberry Ice Cream

on the days when we did nothing for the charlatans

how happy we were eating pints of strawberry ice cream

playing softball in the fields behind the church

going to visit the town attractions

keeping the peace and avoiding all factions

reading old library books

reading at all

and in the apple crisp Falls.

how disappointing we grew up to work for them

there being no other choice really.

still, we escaped in dreams

in twilight movie screens

and in time machines of our own design, however fragmentary

propping up the old fairy tales in our minds

while absently churning the butter.

snow blind in holy Decembers or in the early Spring

helping our Mothers

in stiff starched dresses and little doll coats

praying our way through the waltz's notes

recalling the gilded age,

the violets, the late roses.

mary angela douglas 21 february 2022