Writing from the stemistry lab
The Ruby Slippers
by Barbara Gordon
You can bring only one thing, they said.
One thing that you can carry.
So I chose my Ruby Slippers and I put them on my feet.
And I dusted them with glitter to make them sparkle
Like the stars.
But they wouldn’t let me take them; too polluting to dark skies.
A reminder of all wastefulness and tastelessness
That’s brought us to this pass.
But we’ll take them to exhibit them, along with other noxious waste
And we may review our guidelines in the light of your request.
And disallow reminders of all former affectations
‘But they’re only Ruby Slippers, hardly damaging at all’.
But I had to hand them over to stand any chance at all.