The Next To The Last Page In The Book Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the next to the last page in the book

the fireworks came out of hiding

they embroidered rose petals full and shining

on the night air, the jeweled rose leaves

and we said we cannot leave earth now

it has become too beautiful

we will call our souls back

and it will be as before.

when we were little and had pink sashes.

we were the main characters

though it never seemed that way at the time

suddenly we saw it for what it was:

the whole story

the jolts on the King's Highway

the main bridges washing out

on the way to work

whole towns deserted.

my life as a fool.

what will the heroine do we said

tears streaming over the darkening page

the Sun's gold clearing it all away...

just in time

for the Matinee.

mary angela douglas 11 august 2021