Dream Of The Sequined School Assembly With Pale Pink Programmes Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

caught in the sequined rains of every colour
we longed to be brighter than the brightness
of all things

and all at the same time.

and sorting paper roses for the play
of course, in every pastel ever made.
you said maybe your costume should

be made of stars

(real ones) or liquid as waterfalls
and they will call you Princess Many Waters,
your secret Indian Name

or you will wear a dress of tulle in every shade of rose
that flares out when you dance as if you were blossoming
for the whole Garden

or you can't imagine anything but chiffon
for the Waltz of the Flowers
and crackerjack tiaras from the Lost and Found

mary angela douglas 29 april 2014