Gingham Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

can anyone surpass the glory of sandwiches
wrapped in wax paper
the pink lemonade cake on the

silver cakestand?
and you're dressed in a gingham plaid dress well sashed
rushing in after school to the birthday

of all pinkitude courtesy of Grandmother.
here we would repose forever in the kingdom of Rose

I would have wished if wishes had been
clearer then.
as it is I see it still on transparencies

when I cast back again
with a jeweled rod to hook

one scene after the other
mercurial, not cast in stone
but wearing, like gingham, well

after many washings on my own
autumn sunned in a pinafore wind.

mary angela douglas 18 march 2017