Dorothy stands armed for war
Screeching at the air balloon,
"Get down here and face me, Diggs --
Your trick'ry I impugn!"
(Jellia Jamb and Glinda, then,
Share a moment's eye contact;
Glinda's eyes communicate:
"Be ready, Jamb, to act.")
"Stand and fight me," Dorothy screams,
"Else I come up after you --
And you don't want that. Believe me,
You don't know what I'll do."
"Very well," the Wiz replies,
I s'pose this is what I deserve,"
Descending to the ground below
And swallowing his nerve.
"For what it's worth, my little friend,
You shouldn't have been left behind;
I couldn't turn around, you see --
The storm was most unkind!"
(Poor Dorothy hears none of this,
Her fury drowning out the truth,
Ancient eyes -- so heavy, tired,
Sapping all her youth.)
As Wiz keeps Dorothy occupied,
Tin Man (in his normal state)
Subtly signals to his friends
'Almost time. Just wait.'
At the signal, Scarecrow nods,
Tugs the lions furry ear,
Whispers, "At the ready, friend --
Coast is almost clear!"
A flick of Glinda's magic wand
Parts the clouds to greet the sun,
Which, reflected in the mirror,
Flash-blinds everyone.
"NOW," she screams, as Dorothy
Lunges at the magic frame,
But, landing in the fountain's pool
Extinguishes her flame.
"Where am I? What's going on?
What am I still doing here?
Wasn't I on my way home
All set to disappear?
"Yes," comes Glinda's soft reply
In good witchly, soothing voice,
"A slight delay, but that is all,
If home still be your choice."
"I can't remember anything
Before the fountain got me wet...
Refresh my memory, anyone --
Why was I so upset?"
---
(To be concluded.)
- © Jackson Cambridge, 2016.
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