Wood Puppets

According to some circles of trees puppets are puppets

Wood Puppets

Hollywood could be their favorite kind of lumber

Puppets come from the pine forest cut and dry

In a mahogany box polished and refined

Labeled and shipped out to other countries

With big warnings not to smoke on the side

Puppets don't smoke

They are not alive

But smoking is bad

We understand

Under certain circumstances

The next best thing to being alive

Is a painted smile and beady eyes

Never ask questions of dead wood

It is obvious they can't answer

They are not just another log from the forest

Some stump stuffed in a box for something

Avoid whittling in front of puppets

Talking fire or smoke is impolite

Mentioning matches in mixed company

Is considered treason in some circles of trees

Puppets will never take bribes

They are not that kind

They are not people

Not prone to compromise

Inanimate objects can't talk

Maybe they don't want to

It could be your cheap perfume

Or that carving tool in your pocket

I refuse to say anything

About a puppet on a string

That would be mean