Escape!

                                                                                               Anna Boch

ESCAPE

Mama was so insistent! 'We are going to the store!

Feeling rather reckless I answered-back 'What for?'

'How dare you question me like that!' Mama was in full flight.

'Remember, Rose, you're just a child! Mama always knows what's right!

We have to buy your winter clothes! The days are drawing-in!

Don't argue with me, Rose, dear! You know I always win.'

She made me wear my muslin dress, the one that's rather frilly,

And that awful ribbony straw hat that makes me look so silly!

'Now read your book while I go upstairs; there's something I must get.

You've had your head in that book for days! Haven't you finished yet?'

But how could the days be 'drawing-in' when the sun was up so high

And all the birds that ever were were singing in the sky?

When the hollyhocks were reaching up in spirals bright and tall

And the shadows were making flickerings across the garden wall?

When the stories in my book were far more real than any store

And beams of sunlight came to me from the almost-open door?

So here I sit and read my book, for the summer hasn't gone,

And sounds and smells and stories make the magic linger on.

How long can I hide here? Just minutes, I suppose.

There she is at the door now! She's going to call me!

'Rose!'

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