Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Matilda and the Four Little People—Murfin Verse

Granddaughter Matilda and the Old Man at a Memorial Day ceremony in Crystal Lake in 2022.

Matilda, our Granddaughter in residence,  seems to have always been able to conjure elaborate stories and created rituals.  Two years ago when she had just turned two years old, I discovered one of both.

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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