THE DIAMONDS IN THE GRASS

 

I pray God will carry on the four winds

more than any fairytale then or since

the wistfulness of

the tears I shed today into enduring beauty

remembering two small girls at the front window

staring out each day, my little sister and I who were so close

in age, in dreaming…

in the early mornings, small sentinels and entranced who

stared in childish wonder as the sun lit the dew on the grass

into prismatic brush fires on the front lawn;

into blazing diamonds and together as if we were two small flowers

on the same twig of a tree in spring we chimed together

with the same reverie, more than a story a something

received that there were diamonds on the grass

and if we went quickly before they passed before the fairies

made them disappear we could gather them and give them

to our grandparents by shining handfuls

and then they wouldn’t have to wear themselves out in work

but we could live in a castle and all be free and shining forever together

so I slipped out one day almost at the break of day with little sister

stationed inside

ready with excuses just in case

and touched with trembling hands lest the fairies fury I should awake

the dew on the grass; alas, dissolving diamonds

oh too late I thought I came too late.

back inside my sister cried excitedly oh did you get them did you get them

no. I said. next time we will go earlier

and this time

it will work!

and so we comforted ourselves.

with the thought that for the sake of those we loved

and who loved us, we were sure

we would outwit the fairies no matter how

many times it took in the looking glass world

and scoop diamonds beyond diamonds

and maybe even pearls

fulfilling the gospel true feeling that we had

that this was real more real than anything

ever said that

the dew turned to diamonds on the grass

and we would bring it to pass with extra

diamonds left over for our mama

with all the happy endings never ending.

mary angela douglas 24 november 2023