Obscurely Happy... Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

not to identify yourself by prizes necessarily
not even the crackerjack box kind or pastel party favors
or things other people said about you even the neighbors
when it was found you were a former queen of the motion picture screen
and living in that little hamlet.
just in a simple way occupy space
with careless grace
for instance, say that's my star in the corner of the sky
the cream one that dances only when I look up
I think I remember that from some play
though it might have been said a little differently
or I remember buttercups though no one talks about them today
and the rains gone by and then you sigh a beautiful sigh
remembering that music.
live in a happy way no need to be on display
in your jade green beads and twin set skirt and blouse
unfamous before God in your bunny slippers
watching vintage TV making absolutely no impact on the culture.
or at the drugstore counter
sipping your strawberry tea, heck no, make that malted
no undercover
so undiscovered
enjoying your treat
twirling the green leatherette seat
another cherry phosphate please
freckles on your cold creamed knees
cooled by the fan breeze, haphazardly
living as you please at least on
days off work.
think I'll go to the matinee
surely there's time for that today
and salted peanuts.
and glad if possible
to just get along
with a radio song
a sentimental hymn.
what fabulous luck.
how out to be in
how lucky can you be
to go to the chicken potluck
and no one asks you for the recipe
because you put way too much curry in it
and your dessert was store bought coconut cake
without the cherry.
so sorry. I have a weakness for maraschino cherries.
may a merciful God forgive me.
mary angela douglas 19 september 2023