Six Articles in Search of a Character

I've got the plot – a first for me
the maguffin, a twist
a location or three.
But this is what I haven't found
a hero, a villain
- any figure remotely round.

Think of six possessions then,
the character is there
in his fountain pen
or in the book in his bottom drawer,
his jacket, or trousers
- empty hatbox on lino floor..

But I've got those – or sundry hats -
a colobus, a goat
a collection of cats.
I think of these, little occurs
- a feature, a quirk
something to nail it, his or hers.

A hero then – house a midden,
a commotion, a heap,
the character's hidden.
Chuck the Background and bin the plot
- the heroine, a girl -
write her quickly - for I cannot.