Postcard To My Sister From The Magic Kingdom Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

maybe we will write again with the ruby, the emerald fountain pens
we got one Christmas
on fine tea coloured parchment as on clouds

with mysterious rays of light falling down
as we fell in rings o roseys to the ground
when poetry was still allowed

and fairy tales recounted
in swan whisperings, enchantments of the Rose.

and we will write all birthday crowned of those
and maypole streaming of what we found
in the school Lost and Found

in the square dances on the early stages
dear Virginia reels, and folkloric ones too
when our favorite costume was the gipsy skirt

(or the pink tutu)

the peasant blouse, embroidered
the lustrous dime store beads
in many colours rivaling Joseph's coat.

in particolored ways we wandered
on strawberry sundress afternoons
a little confused thinking

shouldn't sundaes be consumed on Sundays
and why are Hush Puppies edible, and yet shoes?
till we found our language all apricot filling filled

bursting at the seams with extra cherries
the Frontier and Tomorrow Land.

I'll dial you up on the red plastic phone
that Mickey's voice came through on
or Donald, or Pluto

and we'll be Mouseketeers again
loyal to the end
counting our red gold pennies for the pilgrimage

to the pink and blue castles, by turns.

I won't say everything was perfect then
but in imagination world's fairs and all
it really was spectacular

and all of it in living colour thru the Vu Finder,
Living Stereo, razzle dazzle colour wheel turning

on our aluminum Christmas Tree.

mary angela douglas september 22 2018/rev.4 december 2018