Inferno in Oz - 3

High up in a ruddy tree,

Safe from harm (though terrified)

Lion watches o'er his woods

And all who dwell inside.

Goosebumps crawl across his flesh

As the sky grows dark and cold --

Something angry heads this way:

A rage so very old...

And yet, what's that the lion sees --

A furry creature, small and black?

"Toto's here," he asks himself,

"Does that mean Dorothy's back?"

But something doesn't feel alright...

'What's he doing sitting there,

And has he been eating more?

He's near big as a bear.'

Lion calls out to his friend

(Knowing Toto doesn't speak),

The hell-hound turns, bares ruthless teeth,

And Lion cries a squeak.

'He's getting bigger all the time --

Soon he'll grow as large as I!'

He calls to Toto once again;

And again, no reply. 

Hour by hour, the black dog waits

As Lion watches from the tree;

Until at last, he catches sight

Of Princess Dorothy.

Filthy, haggard and enraged,

So much different than before --

And when her Toto sees her there, 

He gives a mighty roar.

Here, the Lion sees the truth:

Toto's grown quite strong and tall,

But isn't getting bigger, though -- 

It's he who's shrinking small!

No larger than a kitten now,

He tries to roar, defend his place,

But no more than a tiny mewl

Comes from his tiny face.

'What to do? I'm powerless!

Regardless of my bravery,

I can't defend anyone,

Hardly even me.'

'Perhaps I'll ask Miss Dorothy

To help defend the Quadling lands!

The Good Witch trusts her, as should we

with Oz' fate in her hands.

Yet, he doesn't like the evil grin

That sullies Dorothy's pretty face --

Nor the Hellhound's furious growl

As Quadlings scream and race.

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- © Jackson Cambridge, 2015