THESE WINTER STRAWBERRIES

(with love to Mary Adalyn Young-Douglas and to my sister, Sharon)

these winter strawberries fit for a queen

shone in my made up story

more than anything

inspired by my mama and the stories she told

of Cornbread Corners a kingdom, behold!

where children were always happily seen

eating strawberries and cornbread

and strawberries and cream

and so winter strawberries had become my theme

of all of the luxuries longed for till spring

its these winter strawberries like rubies bedight

when the stars in their courses shine terribly bright

and rich in our stories, full laden with cream

I think of my mama and spoon up the dream

and spin for her somewhere the straw into gold

so Strawberry Corners can never grow cold.

mary angela douglas 2 february 2023