A game of hide and seek
at the Fair, the girl
disappears into
the House of Magic

the game is over,
her friends call for her,
but there's no response, 
she never appears

they search for her
everywhere, in the
twisting corridors,
the tucked away caves

but they never
find her - and she never
emerges from
the House of Magic

her friends keep vigil
everyday for a full
year, but there
is no sign of her

the House is left to
stand, never pulled down
- the  usual practice
after every fair

many many years later,
bowed and greyed, her
friends remember her
at the weatherbeaten House

and then she comes out
to join her friends,
a little girl in twin plaits,
their childhood intact