In The Blue Countries Or Somewhere Else Instead Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

in deserts we dream of the countries in blue

the border of rain

but in the gully washers we dream of one dry leaf

and we store ourselves under it, one fern

containing just enough moisture to still retain the green

we dream what we lack

sometimes intercepted by what we dont want to look back on

who controls the transmissions of dreams why is the signal

like a departing music a beckoning light that disappears

you wonder when you're not too tired under the leaf of green

while you are still here wandering between the kitchenette

and the enchanted woods

making your picnic plans for

what isn't at all clear but must be good?

the plans of ferns beginning to curl a little

the plans of the blue countries

training to breathe underwater

the plans of the distant longing to be near

or the near waiting to be far

in valleys brim full of roses and alpine stars and

the sharp points of fir trees on the pop up Christmas card

let glitter equal snow and ice.

mary angela douglas 8 november 2022