Yellow brick road
see where it led Judy
to the lap of
some withered man hiding behind
curtains, faeries, balls of
fire
disembodied
bloated
venerated for the mis
perception

a shiny path
filled with promises
a scarecrow, cowardly lion
and tin men
test
osterone

I promised my path
would be different
was promised more than
diamonds, rubies,
emeralds

here I am
the end of the road in sight
I feel Judy’s breath on
my neck
pressing me forward, pulling
me back

she’s off to see the wizard
me too

published in the Queen's Quarterly

Yellow Brick Road