The Echo In Here

all the words you thought you knew
so overprepared for the spelling bees
fly up in your face in a momentary breeze

like cards, like Kites 
at the Red Queen's Palace
so said Alice mistily

to the Cheshire Cat
in the chesnut tree
outside her window.

you're never done with mirages
while you live said alice
from a chintz armchair

to a filmy cat grin everywhere
that's flimsy he said
a flimsy excuse

for being well read
well read
well read...

mary angela douglas 9 january 2018