The Musicbox With The Curlicue Birds And Flowers Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the musicbox with curlicue birds and flowers
and the tune sprinkled with light
through now, how distant hours! the

childhood forests with the slanting rays

from heaven the ladder swung down
of sun mote gold this is what I hear
cried the daughter of the musicales

in her pink tulle on ballet slippered afternoons
how have we grown old I mused
remembering the sequined tune

gardenia moment on the side lawn
in late spring, our aprils completed

the musicbox with curlicue birds and flowers
the bone china regencies
and all the mysteries of faded song.

forgive the moments in the shade.
lost in the din of the big parades
and all we thought that we could win

left stranded somewhere
farther back than hearts could mend

I see you by the luminous door
as you were then
still going out with all to win:

and then the song comes clear my friend

in music we will live again.
in music we will live again.

mary angela douglas 18 march 2017