On The Planet Small Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

venturing into the toy forests
we were protected by merry tunes
from the vicissitudes

cherishing the boggy ground
when it did not give way
ah under moonlight's shreds;

the maraschino moon overhead
lit the slits of paths
as we dropped crumbs

of thumbprint cookies
for the aftermaths
of the apricot, the raspberry kind.

were we stepping blind
blending into the eglantine
the nodding roses wild

following the marsh sprite
a little tepidly
for a royal child

missing tea and the last of the
little pink cakes.
but foraging on

with our hummingbird hearts
our birthday flittering songs
(not forgetting the trick candles

doubling as flares)

mary angela douglas 7 november 2017