The Fairy Godmother Shooed From The Door Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I know things about the things you know

that you think demonstrate you are the grownup

of all grownups

and so at your doorstep I can no longer go

with my little may baskets,

even with my best wand

and rhinestoned spectacles, my folk art dress

and beads

my fairytales unimpeded

to lead you gently back to before you grew

to know so much that isn't good for you

who don't know who you are at all

but when you were a child, you knew

I remember back that far among the rustling

trees a mysterious

moon...the lavender blue

in the world you must choose not to be

thought so wise or falter into their disguise

to be truly you you must be a simpleton

like when you were twelve and still tossed

gold into the wishing well

gold coins or thought you did, the chocolate

wrapped variety

and thought of saints and dragons in the world

and fell asleep dreaming of your cutglass

sparkling kingdoms

where love is always true and rainbow pleated

signed off on in cloud covenants

and requires nothing but to be true to the

original Oringal,

music the music the way it was written down,

even more, the way it was felt is feeling still, itself

when all others leave the room

still to believe in chivalric codes

even when the roses are all withering

but the soul blooms only

where there is no snickering at the truly

golden

beauty for its own sake, beautiful

and for God

you cannot forsake and be the same



Ah, well. let time be.

you've had enough of me and my admonishments

and of birthday candles and honest revelry

the taste of strawberry ice cream is wasted on

you now.

the brindled cow sold for the magic jelly

beans.

you think you are ahead

oh my dear but you

left worlds behind instead

better far than those you barely function in.

I know things about the things you think you

know

and what it cost, is costing still

and so I weep into the violets a foolish

woman,

girl or crone; a rippling image holding on

gliding backwards slowly into the mirror's

mirror

mary angela douglas 13 october 2022; 20 february 2023