Matilda and the Four Little People
June 23, 2022
The child goddess Matilda has
one
two
three
four
Little People
two women
two men
each about three inches high
and each in their own bright clothes.
Matilda's little square house with four doors and shiny brass hardware and the Old Man's big soft brown chair.
They each live
one
two
three
four
behind their own doors
on each side of a tidy square house
and Matilda can ring each doorbell
and open each shiny brass lock
with her own special key.
Some mornings when the Old Man
sits in his big soft brown chair
Matilda solemnly brings him each
one
two
three
four
and lays them in his hands
then she may climb over the arm
of the big soft brown chair
and into his lap
take his creased cheeks
between her two hands
stare him straight
with her huge blue eyes
and silently charge him
these are your People now.
The Four Little People Matilda lined up just outside the Old Man's bedroom. They lie face down for a cozy nap.
Or if the Old Man is still in his room
tap tapping at something at his desk
or napping in his messy bed
Matilda will bring her Little People
one
two
three
four
to his door
and line them up
just so head to toe
face down
so they can sleep
they live there now.
If you think there is not some
Pixie business afoot
you are mistaken
one
two
three
four
Little People.
—Patrick Murfin
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