a substitute for yesterday's white rabbit

She wants her mouse to chase it's lengthy tail

and click down the tunnel of the internet

 

Alice hopes the site she seeks can easily be found,

and that her password will unlock the hidden door

"Our size doesn't matter once we're on the web."

she whispers to her mouse as she explores

 

She types w-w-w.wonderland.com

"Who are you?" asks a caterpillar there

Creature blows rings of smoke onto her screen,

declaring "Only Lewis Carroll fans may dare."

 

"I am, you see, my name is also Alice

 His books have made me such a curious girl."

The caterpillar scowls and exhales trails of smoke

"Answer this question to earn my approval."

 

"Three gardener cards were painting white roses red

When the Queen arrived she cried,' Off with their heads!'

How did little Alice help the cards survive?

Tell me, so called Alice, your reply."

 

Alice sits and thinks and helps he mouse fidget

The answer feels close, yet practically forgotten

A jar of memory? Or is memory jarred?

"Ahhh, that's the trick. She hid them in a flowerpot."

 

The caterpillar coughs and coughs as he nods,

then fades from her screen loike Cheshire cat

In his place there appears an image quite familiar

as Alice exclaims, "Wonderland I'm back!"

 

 

c) C. Butler  1996