Late Summer Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

for my sister Sharon (yet again)


you'll wear your trapeze pink

and dangle from a cloud

or we'll go gleefully


to the five and dime

in search of dangly earrings,

once upon a time


and come back with hair ribbons instead.

lilac cologne.

new stationery with fanciful borders.


that was the summer we planned.

and hamburger stands

and blowing out straws


at our Grandfather

sitting at the little table

thinking we were grownups


while he beamed.

and we breathed in pink and green


watermelon after the games.

already we were full up on cracker jacks

but he would have to explain


to Grandmother

why we looked sick

at the mention of supper.


though double dipped ice cream

was not amiss.

I remember this.


how the mown grass fragrance

made me want to never leave.

the drone of airplanes above


the vivid zinnias.

and the sky trails.

how I cherished


getting the mail

full up with school ordered paperbacks.

the summer classics.


the quick fizz of coca cola

in the jelly glasses

poured over ice.


the sifting of days.

the malted ways.

piano pieces in the afternoons.


I miss you all.

and call you over

the backyard fences of Heaven.


mary angela douglas 14 april 2019