Miranda (just a bit of sentimental whimsy)

It is said that teddy bears
seek out the people who love them,
not the other way around.

John was cleaning out the attic,
when he came across Hutch,
a ragged stuffed bear
who had lost most of his stuffing.

"Hey there, old friend,
I should rename you thread-bear."

John chuckled and said
"Off to the bin with you later."

Hutch's button eyes grew wide,
he only had one arm, but two good legs,
and leg it he did, out the doggy door
and into the street.

"Hutch! Where are you going?"

John ran outside.
Where was Hutch?

He caught a bear-like shadow
darting between cars.

"Hutch? Hutch?"

John saw Miranda,
prone in an alley
across the road.

She had always looked crazy,
but wasn't dangerous.
Just another person in need
who fell through the cracks.

She had been in the neighbourhood forever.
Nobody knew much about her, but rumour was
her husband was everything to her,
and when he died, years ago,
she just couldn't cope anymore.

Too crazy to cope,
not crazy enough
for help.

So to the streets she went.

She found a hot-pink wig
in the trash.
Wearing it
made her feel glamorous.

John was worried.
Miranda didn't look well.

He ran across the street
dodging traffic, road-rage drivers,

"Get out of my way asshole!"

and found Miranda sleeping,
Hutch in her arms.