There Should Always Be A Small Door

there should always be a small door into the garden

Alice thought afterwards

when drifting on the river would not be the same

of course the clouds were painted on

how else would they never arrange to move

let us arrange never to move

from this golden spot she thought sleepily

how hard could it be

and we, will we always have the same

strawberries for tea, glaced the little sugar cakes

and live like dolls in Christmas show windows

repeating our civility

do you know your lines said the Queen

I'm rosy red said Alice blending quite in

but how can I stop the afternoon

from turning a different shade

mary angela douglas 20 march 2016