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             Trapped 
              in Oz 
            We 
              tried everything to get here 
              We didn’t know Oz could change 
              Eyes squeezed shut, 
              stepping onto the secret staircase  
              with fingers crossed, borrowing 
              from other books, mothball dresses 
              caressing us in the wardrobe, so 
              disappointed to feel the wood with our hands 
            Until 
              finally I made it 
              disembarking from the college elevator 
              into an imaginary land 
            Everything 
              is alive here,  
              singing rocks, warbling litter, 
              from my motel I hear this infernal racket 
              all night long; I can’t sleep; there’s no t.v. 
              but plenty of pollution 
            Dear 
              Dorothy 
              I am rolling up this message 
              and tying it with string  
              and next time a tornado comes through here  
              I plan to throw the message in  
              and hope it gets to you  
              If you can get me out of here 
              please do 
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