the scarecrow mixed his tenses but
he smiled
although inside he was
weeping straw, sometimes-
he gestured with his rag-doll hands,
the very soul of courtesy.
oh did you hold onto the tangerine days?
each one was like a best balloon-
and straw-by-straw on your
lopsided way, find everything
was meant for you?
and we were sorry for the times
you skittered into the flame-throwers-
and so happy you were stitched up-
in the end-
mary angela douglas 10=11 february 2010
