Diamonds In The Yard Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

[to the exquisite poet, Chumki Sharma]

it won't be the same when we are older
no child knows to think
and neither then, did we

playing with the doll sized sink
the little dishes
believing in three wishes

and though we try we try so hard
to gather the diamonds in the front yard
and the hard frost glittering on the ground,

when we go out
they can't be found.
so we imagine we just weren't quick enough

and maintain hope.
who cares if all the diamonds melt from
all the surfaces welcoming light

we have the right to dream
I say to the children in that backyard scene
whenever I'm looking back.

but ah, they can't hear me...

mary angela douglas 14 january 2016