Dorothy Lingers On in the Land of Oz

“I think it’s better not to be

thought of on a Monday.”

The yellow light did not flicker.

There were no messages.

“Busy as they are.  Always,

so busy,” thought Dorothy.

Even so, it was not long

since she had seen the Scarecrow.

Only yesterday,

at a slick cafe near the Palace

they sat in large, plush chairs

in a dark corner, where

Dorothy sipped a cool lemon tea.

“This place is popular for

blind dates,” said the Scarecrow.

“On account of the darkness.”

They shared a laugh.  Neither

had seen the Tin Woodman

for several months, ever since

Dorothy’s birthday.  The Woodman

had kindly given her a book.

His castle in the Kingdom of the West

kept him busy, as did his people.

As for the Cowardly Lion, well,

the last time she saw him was

nearly a year ago, when they all met

in the depths of another cafe, during

one of his rare trips from the wilderness.

But he liked it better where

he could feel the earth beneath his feet,

so he soon went back.  Rumor was,

he had found a mate.  Dorothy

felt such a fondness for the Lion.

Outside, the cool breeze

kept away the mosquitoes.  The Scarecrow

walked her back to the subway stop.

Their next plan:  bicycle-riding, when

the weather turns cooler.  If only three clicks

of the heel could wrangle another visit

from the Woodman, she might try it.  But no.