Junior High Rag Tag Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

protracting how it's done
take the perimeter of the sun
counting it out in sequins
like loose change
it's all diy
like a craft project in the sky
the way I felt in Art class once again
when the watercolours dried
and the paper fossilized
with the colours dribbled down the chins
of the people I depicted dancing
in a courtyard far away
with chandeliers on the quay
in the middle of the Milky Way
who looked like they were melting
and the teacher looked so grim
you're using too much water there again
I knew I could except another C
what it's done to me
to be in jr. high
singing madrigals till I die
in the front row for assemblies
we said history's on our side
I don't know
how I survived
typing poetic prose
for the newspaper you know
with flustery nervous pride
for a column called the poet's corner
then, once it's done
take the perimeter of the sun
counting it all as loose change
in the chiffon apricot dress
with the sweet brocade, the best
you wore to be in
the cotillion on parade
then when it's done
take the perimeter of the sun
and repeat until it's Christmas
and you're home once again
among your lovely kin
with all your homework done
and the Star shines so bright for
everything that wasn't alright
reading classical paperbacks all night
while nibbling chocolate cherries and
in your pink cotton swiss
writing a poem like this
sixty some years to the date of a
cotillion parade where you
dutifully made an appearance
in the apricot dress
with the sequins from the Sun.
thanks to everyone,
I did my best.
mary angela douglas 18 september 2023