INSPIRED BY CHARLES DICKENS THE MAGIC FISHBONE AND MY MOTHER'S LOVE OF STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM (AND GOODNESS IN THE GENERAL SCHEME)

to my Mother 

so Alicia said in her peach gown

turning and turning the other way round

remembering her godmother's words:

be good then and don't.

whatever there was

whatever will be

consists in virtue

and also in dream

and richest of all

is the strawberry seam

of the words that came out

in a silvery stream

be good then.

long may she prosper

and sew a fine seam

remembering strawberries, strawberries and cream

and every word from her godmother seemed:

be good then, and don't.

mary angela douglas 25 july 2023