Puppeteer



by Jeff Lindy


The goofy little orange thing
prances about.
It lopes around, eliciting smirks or giggling.

A keen eye just might

see the strings manipulating
the thing
might follow the string

up to the fingers
twisting and pulling on the strands
hoping for a laugh.

A keen eye just might

follow the strings of these hands
up to the eyes
of the puppeteer
and see the faintest twinkle or tear.

A keen eye just might,

but I doubt it.
Most of the people I know
must wear glasses.