Yellow Brick Roads

rebirth , a story of

you know how it starts
once upon ...
a girl
where she felt alone
dreams fading in a black and white room - 

 

her home
 
so she gathered her love
and left down the road

dustbowl footprints leading
to somewhere else

 

storms came
sooner than she needed,
the midwest does that
sucked up in dreams
of a bejeweled city,
nestled between dreamland and hell

 

stranger became hero
rising above the little people

her allegiance to

thoughtless, heartless cowards

squeaking false bravado

through that shifty forest

nightmares throwing fireballs -

 

girl standing strong

 

jewel on the horizon
caught in opiate slumber 
spoke before a God who wanted a favor

"kill the b***h and I will save you"

 

the b***h had other plans
sent an army on wings of fear
to snatch that sweetie
and her little dog too

rattlehead and strawboy
dragging that run tail lion 
busting heads for honor
to save that poor girl 

 

hooked nose hag
her eyes wide, reaching
greed was her fire
doused by an innocent act

 

the b***h just wanted to walk in her shoes

 

no parade back at the ranch 
woke to faces she neglected
bad dream erased by smiles
remembering with a click  ...

 

there's no place like home

 

 

Author's Note

It is the anniversary of this classic tale I hope Mr. Baum isn't rolling in his grave and if so with a smile ...

Reviews

[V.B.]

It's always a pleasure to read you, Robin, and this was no exception. I love the candid takes on all the characters, and how you managed to flip the whole Oz story on its head.

I am reminded of one of my favorite internet memes for some reason: If you watch Jaws backwards, it's about a shark who throws up people until eventually they have to open a beach.

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Interesting review of "The Wizard Of Oz"...Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..Sunflower

[jenniewren (J.W. Bouwma..]

spoke before a God who wanted a favor
"kill the b***h and I will save you"

that part made me laugh aloud

[Emily]

This is very very good. I had an inkling of where this was going before i got to the "and her little dog too" part. Well written, I think this would suit Grimm's version of this piece (if Grimm had ever done one). I liked the flow of this piece, and you did a fantastic job of making this your own instead of just working from the story you already knew. (It takes a good writer to be able to do that)

Well done!

[.]

Oh that is fantastic..I loved it, loved it!!!! Your ode does justice to a classic..

The last line...brilliant..let me just go and and get my red sparkly shoes :)

You do a nice job here of using an art piece to speak your mind. It goes beyond just the movie and gives the reader so many things to ponder. The definition of an Ekphrasis! nice work Robin. Thanks

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

girl disassembled and reassembled ~ a stained glass fixture with little pieces shifting the yellow brick road~ oh how those shards must sting and bleed~

Mr.Baum is definety not rolling~ he may very well have sat bolt upright with eyes wide open wondering "damn, why didn't I think of that" =)~
brilliant reworking of the tale into a modern day parable~fable if we consider the non human element of the semi human players~ =)~