Things were different back then
She says
Out of nowhere
Remember when the Red Queen
Touched our shoulders
Sent waves of blue electricity
Down our spine
Now the bed is changed
Red to blue
And the Red Queen
Has left forever
Never forever
Alice says
No one leaves Wonderland
But this is real
I protest
As real as me
She chuckles
She pours some tea
I lie in the fresh blue bed
It feels nice
I suppose
Sleep is even better
It comes
Eventually
Just like it did back then
We sip tea
Look at the rain out of the window
The words mark time
Different
But the same
A story in process
Slow but sure
Known and unknown
How we wish for that strong arm
On our shoulder.
Vivid, rivetting ... but oh, those last two lines worry me.
ReplyDeleteAs a poem, how beautifully constructed. I think you just get better and better.
The ending hits the hardest and realest--it's just so hard not to miss the way things used to be (when they were good).
ReplyDeleteThe change from red to blue is interesting........Yes, one wishes for a strong arm to lean on sometimes..........I finally had to be my own strong arm, for lack of volunteers. But remember your readers are here, holding invisible cushions of support, and appreciation of your words and your being.
ReplyDeleteHow we all wish for that strong arm on our shoulder...…….
ReplyDeleteYes our new normal causes us to hanker after so much we took for granted. A very poignant response to the prompt Jae
ReplyDeleteMuch💖love
I think we all like to have someone we can trust and rely on. As always writing in a personal way makes it far more relevant.
ReplyDeleteI like the use of colour in this poem, Jae, the change from red to blue. I’m intrigued by the Red Queen and the waves of blue electricity, some kind of electric shock? And the sleep that comes eventually ‘just like it did back then’. The blue bed sounds nicer and safer. I’m not sure about the strong arm they wish for – is it the Red Queen’s?
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully evocative!💝 The closing lines are hard-hitting and true.
ReplyDeletean enjoyable read as I sip tea this evening ~
ReplyDelete