My Sister At Her Piano Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

[for Sharon F. Douglas]

what you wished for
what was wished for you
that your feet would reach easily

the piano pedals
that putting both hands together
you would play moonlight

the wind over the lea
bright birds fluttering
or what you pleased,

with strawberries, cherries on top
in the consummate dress
of rose violet

with an appliqued collar
a jeweled sash
a candy stash

or Coca Colas
near at hand

the wild fern under the
shade tree
all summer long

listening to your song played

with utmost concentration
with your whole heart spilling the
stars onto the hearers


so that they shone
during the recital
and long afterwards after


fanning themselves
with their pink programmes


mystified at their mirrors
or beribboned with pastel surprise
the crystal carnation cooled tones


never falling apart

and the notes like beautiful
migratory birds floating over
the treasure maps of the earth.

mary angela douglas 4 november 2017