A Rudiness As Of Rubies Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the latter days fall

in sweet domino effect

like tin soldiers

goodbye! you say so heartfeltly

to each one in its turn

as if you were still that Christmas child;

or like the wooden ones in the Brontes Glasstown

taking part in all the epics

or in the case of Hans Andersen

the one and only soldier lives out his ballet

where have the winds gone that gusted him away

and back again in the story we adored

oh to be faithful like that again

to accept without question the fairytale

quest

while the apple trees are snowing

in the dream where time is still your friend

and the skies glow a rudiness as of rubies

all apple red delicious

while you're still at home,

the last candle to go out.

mary angela douglas 21 june 2023