THE WONDERFUL YEAR COULD BE THIS YEAR

 

the wonderful year could be this year

when the grass grows even taller

though an apple core or an orange peel

could make you grow much smaller

it could be waiting beside the door

to a place you've never chartered before

it could be under lock and key

and suddenly spring, by angels set free

it could be when there's a buttermilk sun

and personal letters and lots of fun

and sweeping the floor of the gold dust fine

and all of your castles as suddenly rise

the wonderful year could come any day

so don't throw the calendar ever away

just circle the date till it all comes true

in gummed stars of gold or of ocean blue

and make it a holiday when it is not

and think there's a treasure ship coming  to dock

and dance without slippers and breathe without air

and live out your life on  a diamond back dare

that if you expect it you'll notice it soon

whatever it is that is so festooned

and flying to meet you if you're prepared

if you've tried to be good and prayed all your prayers

to laugh in its branches and slide down its stairs

when the day comes loaded with circus pink clouds

and no one suspects that you're dreamed it out loud.

mary angela douglas 17 august 2023