Reflet Dans L'eau (Revised) Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

to Claude Debussy

clouds have fallen into the waters
will their mamas rescue them?
what will the skies become now

the fingerpaint sun spreads like a rose
in swirls of gold, my thumbprint.
even the trees are melting there

in drips of green
from a thick brush gleamed.

in the rain danced waters
then you look half dissolved in tears and still the clouds
chase lace on lace through the ripples here

and you're afraid they'll disappear
while the sun tints them vermillion

and Far Away
so the music seems to say
and as for the trees, the trees
rimming the lake still shake their green
laughing above the darker green waters.

they were only looking in the mirror,
you explained to me'
and you child have your riddle explained.

if you want to, keep it.
put it in your locket.
and I did.
mary angela douglas 20 april 2015; 17 march 2016; 1 december 2023