Scarecrow br (a crucified Christ) br br nailed to br the sunset & the rain. br br My daughter crying br wanting to bring him home. br br “Why, can’t we br bring him home! ” br she wails. br br “I’ll look after him! ” br “Please! ” br br She sulks in the car br all the way home and all of next week. br br Whimpers in some fretful dream br that her scarecrow br br “...is cold...is cold! ” br br I study the holiday photo br reconstruct an exact reproduction br of her straw man. br br Plant him br in our garden br br in the middle of dawn br (throw stones at her window) br br see her beam as she sees him again br br clatter down the stairs clasp him to her: br br “I knew you’d come...