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Leah at Octoberfest
by
Nancy Scott


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Elmo and Sponge Bob were there
and a fairy princess in pink and white net,
Spiderman and clowns,
and pumpkins too,
and scarecrows in chewed-up felt hats.
 
But Leah, with a hot dog in her left hand,
a jug of blue juice in her right, couldn’t take
her eyes off the monster
she didn’t have a name for yet: Grim Reaper
hooked nose, red eyes, black cloak,
bloody cardboard scythe and two paces
behind him a pint-sized double.
 
From the pony ride, the plastic bubble
trampoline, the haystacks she kept lookout
for the monster. Then he was in front of her
coming closer. She dug into her pocket
for the handful of stones she’d collected,
was about to fling them in his direction,
when he suddenly squatted
and tied the shoelaces
of his side-kick sitting on a bench.
 
Look, she shouted, he’s a Daddy,
and dismissed him as only a child can.

 
From One Stands Guard, One Sleeps (Plain View Press, 2009).
This poem first appeared in Slant in 2008.
Used here with the author’s permission.

Nancy Scott was an author and artist in New Jersey. Managing editor of U.S. 1 Worksheets for more than a decade, she was the author of five full-length books and four chapbooks. Nancy began writing poetry in the mid-‘90s as a way to share experiences and insights from her earlier career as a social worker. Nancy's latest poetry collection, A Little Excitement, was named "first choice for summer 2021 reading" by North of Oxford. Her art was frequently hung in juried shows and, sometimes, her poetry and art were featured together.

 


Post New Comment:
Wilda Morris:
I'm catching up after a busy week and weekend - and loved the surprise ending of this poem!
Posted 10/29/2012 10:03 AM
loisflmom:
Delightful! That simple act defines Daddy-hood!
Posted 10/27/2012 11:00 AM
penelopeschott:
Ah! Being a daddy trumps all. Delightful. Thanks, Nancy.
Posted 10/27/2012 10:50 AM
dotief@comcast.net:
I love it! Even Death has responsibilities, I suppose. Wonderful poem.
Posted 10/27/2012 10:28 AM
erinsnana:
This is a great and cute poem! I loved the ending also!
Posted 10/27/2012 10:26 AM
Kathe L. Palka:
Fun poem Nancy and what a perfectly captured ending!
Posted 10/27/2012 09:24 AM
Katrina:
I love this poem with its 'chewed-up felt hats' and nameless Grim Reaper. That blue juice must contain something I could use.
Posted 10/27/2012 06:18 AM


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