Wonderland
A tribute to Lewis Carroll's enduring book and an entry for Ellie Hoovs' Unofficial Wonderland Poetry Prompt Challenge
I remember our first encounter:
I was suitably unsettled.
A cartoon of technicolour proportions
To excite the mind with a taste of wonder.
Grinning cat, fading to vapour.
Caterpillar, like Noel Coward, smoking
On a toadstool.
Run, rabbit, run!
To the tick of your pocket watch.
And down that hole I tumbled.
Your vision both delighted and disturbed:
Benign tea party guests who riddle and vex?
Cards as courtiers in courts with weak ceilings?
And last?
Queens with the power to lop off your head?
Totally absurd!
And yet history shows not an absurdity at all
Although marginally more regally considered.
Disney, first. Then, the words in their raw form -
Carroll-esque.
Slippery to grasp, drifting like smoke rings.
No sense in nonsense and my brain wanted to right it.
Little doors - fun.
Hedgehogs for croquet - fun.
Potions to drink - fun.
But there is madness here and I feel its looseness
On every page.
And yet...
Madness is inspirational!
Arthur Rackham, Tim Burton -
They took us a-Carrolling!
And what enduring images have emerged!
Alice is seared on me, like a dodgy tattoo
Its madness just short of making me a hatter.
***
You can read all about Ellie's challenge here:
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Comments (12)
"Slippery to grasp, drifting like smoke rings."- really like the imagery in here, and of course it's instantly linked to the caterpillar smoking. Caroll's words really are nonsensical, and it's one crazy ride! Love how this poem reflects the manic, whimsical, free-falling nature of his own stories. P.S. Did you know he came up with the word chortle?
BritBud-Rd - This is WonderlandFull..! While I have you on the line let me leave you with this Fathers Day message - you know how silly I can be: Father of (6) "Don't give me knickers-ties-or-socks...Just get away from me for the day" - Your CalBud, Jb
"Arthur Rackham, Tim Burton - They took us a-Carrolling!" Love it!! There are certainly a few different rabbit holes to tumble down these days to end up in the whimsy of Wonderland!
Ahh the last line! Such fun. This was perfect to end the challenge. Lovely, lovely, indeed!
"Alice is seared on me, like a dodgy tattoo" I often feel this way when I feel a strong connection with a character. Loved your poem!
Delightful poem… for whatever reason, I’ve never been a fan of Alice in her WOnderland 😳, so I wasn’t being perverse nor different in my takes on these prompts… rather, I have minimal connection to Alice & friends🥺. It’s been fun though. Enjoyed reading your poems💖.
Well-wrought! This line could be a commentary on life: "Slippery to grasp, drifting like smoke rings."
Such a great flow and rhythm. Your words reads to me in a sing-song manner which added to the whimsy manner of it all. I especially enjoyed the line: “They took us a-Carrolling!”
So fun and whimsical!
And we are all made mad for it
This is a beautiful whimsical poem, Rachel, definitely showing your love for and fascination with Carroll’s books.
Oh, this was absolutely sublime, Rachel!! Such cleverness and wit and just plain fun. Loved it to bits!!