Through letters, books and artwork,
We have shared bits of our lives.
And the common goal of betterment,
For which we each have strived.

And though we'll prob'ly never meet,
I see them all the time,
When I visit Ninepatch-land --
A place inside my mind.

In Ninepatch-land I wander,
Without caring where I go,
'Cause every way is just a path,
To friends that I can know.

So come with me to Ninepatch-land!
(It doesn't cost a thing.)
All you do is close your eyes,
And let your mind take wing.

There we'll wander golden paths,
Our Ninepatch friends have made.
They lead beneath pipe-cleaner trees
Whose paper leaves make shade.

We'll listen to the rubber-band,
That plays there in the park
And marvel at their singers:
Three finches and a lark.

We'll watch the origami-swans,
That sail upon the lake,
And vie with cardboard fishing boats
For tinsel-trout to take.

We'll watch the glowing peach-sun set,
On mountains made of rhyme,
That reach up to the cotton clouds,
Silver-tipped, they shine.

Or drink from fountains full of words,
Our Ninepatch friends create,
Or dance beneath a starry sky --
Of poster paint and slate.

My Ninepatch friends would laugh, I think,
To hear these things I've said,
About my secret Ninepatch-land,
I've seen inside my head.