Mother, Father, pardon me
I lost my book among the poppies
Peculiar poppies
I'm sure the drills of elocutions, grammar and vocabulary couldn't
Wouldn't
Dare to match the lessons taught to me today.

Occupying precious time with social gatherings,
You thought you had a grasp on me
Didn't you
But once I slipped your mindful watch, I couldn't stand back up
I fell, fell, fell
Holding my breath beneath my smile
I didn't dare look up.

And when I unpressed my lips to take a breath of air
The air took back the thirteen years you forced
Packed
Into my heart.
Turns out I'm seven
Although, I knew I was seven- did you?

A hare taught me to be curious and chase after my muse;
You said, "running isn't for ladies."
A caterpillar asked me who I was
I replied, "Alice."
"But who ARE you?" He pressed on
I didn't know
Now I do- do you?