Are you surprised by my strange appearance?
Born yesterday, were you? You must have been!
Crops have been cultivated by your kind
Down through the centuries, since you crept out
Eager to make hay, of the first garden
Farming and fermentation keep you still
Grinding your hungry teeth and mad with thirst
How then, can you be surprised to see me?
If crows must be kept at bay, I am here
Just as my ancient forebearers once were
Knitted together as your surrogates
Looking enough like you to frighten birds
Must make you think, no? Just a hint of you
Nasty and clever and bloodthirsty, too
Overwhelms feathered and furred things with fear;
Perhaps the fear is yours now; you’re welcome!
Quietly stalking through the autumn corn
Ready for harvest is my keen, old scythe
Scaring is what you made me for, you fool
Trembling a bit, aren’t you? A compliment!
Until Halloween, my brothers and I
Vie for the chance to be the first to walk
Waiting to see who is most frightening
Xerox copies we are not; each unique
You guessed it: this is my year to walk tall
Zenith of a scarecrow’s life; your nadir!
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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