What Catches Your Sleeve On The Way Out Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the things that can catch your sleeve on the way upstairs

from the dream depths

gold leaf on the branches of the overhanging trees

a thistle of unease

one lone pebble you picked up for your pocket

that on waking showed up as a ruby

none of the things that are your duties

a warbling bird

green as meadows

how very absurd

and bits of fluff from the stars

of course, a magic cloak

a new frock coloured light rose

an address book of clouds

and slippers that by design

will shine and shine and shine

and never wear out.

mary angela douglas 4 march 2023