a marionette soldier,
painted apple red
and royal blue,
folded and put away,
piled in what construes
an uncomfortable position.
     His absent expression
     looks more about a wait
     on war,

all parts affected,

loosely strung

     than wishing for
     a gentle hand gesture
     for a moment played and spared
     his need for motion sated.

with threads connected –
though not his wont
   

   thinking that the songs
    and dances were his own,
    and all is right with God.

stretched, strained
and being,
true from time’s perspective.