I was the only person who entered the scarecrow competition.

My creation was stuffed with hay, wearing jeans and sporting a sun hat that was too small for its grotesque head.

I was embarrassed as they gave me the ribbon and flushed as applause filled the field.

I almost hid behind my dad as people came and appraised my creation, asking eleven-year-old me about where I got they hay or wether I had sewn the buttons on myself.

I tried to answer as best I could, privately proud yet wishing I had something to compare my scarecrow to…

(Based on a true story xx 💛)