The Three Inch Scarecrow Poem by Catherine Casey

From the time his eyes were painted
He knew things weren't quite right,
The sky a little further
Than the contract signed last night.


Perhaps there was a shortage of
The wood from yonder store,
A lack of XL T-shirts
From the scruffy man next door?


His wee legs nearly buckled being
Wedged inside a plant pot.
An infant called out wildly
To his friends, ‘Look what I got! ’


Held aloft he saw the world from
Where he thought he ought to.
Steeple clock to winding beck,
In fact, it looked like quart’ to.


Then placed beside the garlic as
An ornament of mirth.
Poor young soul. horizons drawn
From the gate to fence his girth.


The summer sun brought ball games and
The yell of football chant.
And one miss-kick misplaced him,
Right behind the rhubarb plant.


An Autumn spent behind the veil.
Mighty leaves to humble.
The view of sky some wider
When stalks became a crumble.


As Winter blew its northern course
And ground no spade had torn.
A hibernating squirrel
Popped his eye for one more yawn.


On Christmas Eve a raven came -
Plucked him from the garden.
Unspoken friend who seemed to know
The sense of being an odd–un.


He saw again the steeple clock -
Midnight hour approaching.
Frosted meadow spreading wide
Behind, the yard encroaching.


In that moment soaring higher
Seeing journey’s harbour,
Mission field to keep the black
From golden wheat filled larder.


Amazing sight against the stars -
Cross of wooden stature,
Holding scarecrow arms out wide.
Alive by unknown Thatcher.


The raven with his tiring load
Had found his drop off place.
Fold inside the scarecrow’s hat,
'Twas splendid vantage space.


‘Well welcome little fellow.’ (Sensed) .
A voice below did start.
‘Since spring I prayed for vision
And now you quicken my heart.


For the crows did take my eyes while
The farmer sewed my clothes.
They couldn’t see me scary
And they came around in droves.


Bless - The farmer didn’t notice
I'm blind for where to “Boo! ’’
The crows have run me breathless
I didn’t know what to do.’


‘Don’t worry! ’ said the smaller one
I love it all round here.
From here we’ll mount the counter
We'll be revolutioneer.


I’ll direct your 'Boos! ” with my eyes
From the top of your hat.
A team of odd surprises.
We'll make the crows say “Drat! ”’


And so they formed a mission of
Togetherness and plan.
Relying on each other
Knowing not how it began.


A simple prayer of asking was
All it had took to solve.
When all seemed lost and lonely
It was easy to resolve.