The History Of Dreams In Fragments Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

bombing the jewel box cities they floated away
the jewels still shone
they floated away in parachutes made of flowers
landing on the Other Side
because the Princess wanted to wear silk again
and she knew there would always be flowers
birdsong from ruined trees and Christmas choirs and
grass growing over the unmarked graves
rebuilding the jewel box cities we were glad
again we raced up the hills to soak in the stars
the stars that aren't there anymore
yet are plain as day at night

I want to go to school and spell in light years
I said, after the wars,
what can't be understood no matter how many
candles are on the cake don't you see
no matter how much people tell you to face reality
oh lovely human race
everything disappears from this too
mysterious place.

mary angela douglas 7 october 2022