Inferno in Oz - 3 : 2

Look there," Oscar Diggs exclaims,

From high in his hot air balloon,

"The Tin Man comes! We've arrived

And not a tic too soon!"

Below them, belching fire and smoke,

Once caring, with the kindest heart,

Now twisted into violent shape:

Assassin a la carte.

"Alright, my comrades, here we go:

Do we all recall the plans?

Tik-Tok, you first, I'm afraid --

Hit him where he stands."

Scarcely had the wizard's words

Been spoken out into the air

Than Tik-Tok said, "Ge-ron-i-mo"

And leapt from here to there!

Landing in the chopper's path,

Kicking up a cloud of dirt,

Tik-Tok wiggles his moustache

And mutters, "This - will - hurt."

A tinnish laugh, but not in joy,

But rather, scoff, as if in jest; 

"A wind up toy? How interesting!

I could use the rest!'

Jeering at his smallish foe

(As Tik-Tok rushes forth apace),

Nick looks on amused, until

He's knocked upon his face.

"Your - move", says Tik Tok, standing still,

As Nick lay sprawled upon the ground;

"I'm - not go-ing - an-y-where,

I - urge - you - to - stay - down."

Again with the metallic laugh, 

Nick ignores the toy's advice:

"You'll excuse me if I don't

feel like playing nice."

("Okay, Nimmie Amee, dear,

Time to put your heart to work --

But be careful, would you please,

In case he's gone berzerk!"

Fearlessly, without a sound,

Descending ladder made of rope, 

She makes her way toward the ground,

Armed with love and hope. 

"Stop!" She screams. "This isn't right!

"No wonder we're estranged --

You've lost your heart, and broken mine --

How horribly you've changed."

"Please, my love -- replace your heart

With one I've brought you, full and grand!

The biggest heart in all of Oz,

Or any other land!"

- © Jackson Cambridge, 2016.