Some other bombadillo

when you lament
the production of a movie from a book
do you begrudge the cinematographer
a missing manuscript or
the pleasure of a palimpsest

or do you regret
the absence of Tom Bombadillo
while you slide the carved cameo pendant on its golden chain
back and forth
to center it on your neck?

was it the gift of a grandmother
a souvenir of a trip
to Italy
perhaps a honeymoon
or some other bombadillo?

is your name Cassandra with an e

or Smith with a y

or Curtis with a k

we're all a bit crazy

after all

the nuns were profligate with the holy water

in breaking up a fight

in front of the original Lady Evelyn Public School

but we started with a script

and we've ended with a scrap

in this way lovers will hold on

to each other

when the liking is gone