My Turn
By: Gabriella Balcom

Magic has eluded me for far too long a time.
Sometimes I tire of waiting and hoping for it,
but it's what I long for, so I keep holding on.
I hear of other people's dreams coming true
and miracles still occur, so where are mine?

I've read about a rabbit who wears clothes, talks,
and can tell the time. I long to see him for myself.
I also yearn to find that elusive, mysterious hole
in the ground — not just any old hole, but the one
that leads to a realm both strange and intriguing.

No Dinah exists in my life to miss me right now,
but my family would, along with our two ferrets,
Grumpus and Snowboots, and Shaggy and Doofus,
our dogs. Even so, I've awaited adventure forever,
and the anticipation both energizes and drives me.

Therefore, I wouldn't hesitate, given the opportunity.
I'd go down the hole, sip liquid, nibble cake, grow
large, and grow small. I'd rather not face the possibility
of drowning in my own tears. Instead of that, I'd go
visit the dodos, and run around with them in a race.

I'd meet the blue caterpillar eventually. We'd be pals.
He'd puff, ponder, and we'd converse at great length.
Later, the Cheshire Cat would appear out of nowhere,
and I'd experience his double-edged words and study
his pleased-as-all-get-out, overly wide, toothy smile.

The Mad Hatter's Tea-Party might be fun. I'd drink tea
and probably get good and aggravated if the attendees
treated me in the same rude way they'd treated Alice.
If the Queen of Hearts became angry at me and said,
"Off with her head," I wouldn't wait around. I'd flee.

I'm sure the Mock Turtle would speak about school,
including Distraction, Derision and the other subjects.
So, I'd share some of my school experiences with him,
and I might ask him to explain Reeling and Writhing,
Mystery, Fainting in Coils, and the rest of the classes.

Since I already know Alice's story, I'd be prepared
for at least some of the individuals I'd no doubt meet.
The cards wouldn't get a chance to attack me as a pack,
much less get anywhere close enough to take my head,
and there are some specific things I'd personally do.

To begin with, I'd arrive with an excellent camera,
and I'd take photos of the amazing sights around me.
I'd collect several samples of liquid, mushroom, cake,
and other things to take home. There's no telling what
I'd do with them, but I guarantee I'd have loads of fun.

Among other things, I'd ask the top-hatted Mad Hatter
if he had extra head-wear which I could have for my own.
I'd free the hedgehogs from the Queen's croquet game.
And, last but not least, I'd invite Mr. Wide, Toothy Grin
to come back to my world and visit for awhile with me.

For me to have any chance of experiencing that, though,
I'd first have to visit the world of wonder and explore.
I want that day to come soon, complete with rabbit-hole.
Until it does arrive, I'm going to ponder and daydream,
and keep a close lookout for a certain White Rabbit.

The end.

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