Inferno in Oz - 3 : 1

The war's account does not exist

(Except in Glinda's Record Book);

Left unspoken, rarely read --

But let's just have a look.

---

Silently, the dragon apes,

A hundred wide and twenty deep,

Perched on every single roof, 

Poised to snarl and leap. 

Glinda stands before at the gate,

With Jellia Jamb close at her side

(Though not the whiskered guardian,

Who seems content to hide).

"Not yet," Glinda whispers, "Wait

For them to make the first attack --

We'll let them spend their energy

Before we hit them back!"

---

While far away, our Dorothy,

Tears of rage upon her cheek,

Whispers in her hellhound's ear

One word's instruction: "Speak."

What comes from Toto's drooling maw:

A bark so loud, so deep and thick

Its force becomes a hurricane --

A storm of yellow brick.

The bricks hail down upon the apes,

Half of them knocked clear awry;

Those remaining screech and howl,

And fury fills the sky.

---

The Nomish King, in quick response,

Brings his forces full to bear --

"The Magic Belt must be returned!

It's not for her to wear!"

Barbaric Nomes, with swords in hand,

Rush toward the Emerald gate --

Bolstered by their fearless King,

And fueled by greed and hate.

The apes descend upon the Nomes,

A cloud of wings that blots the sun --

(Ruggedo knows he's going to lose,

And takes off in a run.)

---

And elsewhere, in a field of corn,

The lion cub climbs up the post,

Greets the Scarecrow with a grin,

But receives no riposte. 

A moment's thought, and then "Aha!

I shall draw my friend a face,

And once awake, he'll use his brains

To solve this puzzling case. 

And sure enough, once more aware,

The Scarecrow blinks, and tries to stand --

And turning to his rescuer, says,

"Let's go save our land."

---

- © Jackson Cambridge, 2016.