The Crane Game

The sad little girl with desperate eyes,
Inserts a few coins and pleads for a prize.
She deftly maneuvers the glistening jaws,
Past rabbits and dogs with fluffy, white paws.

Sweat trickles down onto puerile lips.
The crane lunges, whirls, and finally dips.
Jagged teeth sink into soft, furry skin,
Impaling the bear with embroidered-on grin.

"Mommy, I won!" the girl shrieks with delight.
"I really don't care," she says, pulling her tight.
"You've got enough toys! Now, give me that thing!"
The girl stands her ground, and then takes a swing.

"Wait 'til your father hears what you've done!"
"Listen, young lady! You'd better not run!"
But escape, she does, from the guilt and the pain,
To her fantasy world, where God is a crane.

© 2008 by Eric D. Greene