A door opens
wind fills the hall
swirling patches of lint
like tiny lace clouds
watch them dance
a parquet ballet
In the magic of a child
lint becomes fairies
their big white dresses twirl
a flash of light
bejewels each
A door closes
all magic flees
as the shadow falls
Chubby hand
grasps just one
to save her
from darkness
Thunder, the voice
of an unjust god
call to lessons
that are only pain
cannot cry
or seams may tear
Scratch of stubble
on white smooth sheet
just like a man
who is not a god
it is only the stitches
Still again
quiet
forgotten
Chubby hand opens
but there is only
dust
all magic is dead
crushed
broken

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 11/15/2011

Listen
down below
voices
none of the stones have names
named stones become men
but these have none
name them
Candy Man
Waterboy
Master
Listen
ice on glass
one clinks it
another laughs
one two three
one two three
name them
Counter
Laughing Man
Peppermint
Listen
chair scrape
thump of glass
one stone waits
no sound from the window
but he’s always there
name them
Praiser
Scarecrow
Scissor Man
Listen
creak on fourth stair
lots may be drawn
but Father is first

~ ~ ~

© W.R.R. 6/16/1994