Wonderland

Day 1 I fall—not through space something thinner— like light stretched too far across the skin of a thought I buried years ago The tunnel hums with memory— a child’s scream rising into laughter, the sting of ozone before the storm the flicker between blinks where everything vanishes Darkness Sun blinds— Day 2 The sky is a calm equation— no clouds, no noise, just light folded neatly like fresh hospital sheets The grass soft as breath. No bugs. No bruises. Everyone wears a gentle smile like they’re born with softness “Hello, Alice.” They say it like a blessing. They say it like I belong. The air is perfectly warm, like an infant’s cradle Day 7 They say God carved this world out with scalpels —not one corner flawed Every turn I’m greeted with a warm, prepared smile, “Hello, Alice.” Nothing bleeds. Knives are ornaments. They assume I was born with the scars on my wrist. Even sorrow comes in silk-lined boxes, labeled, packed, ready to ship away I tried to cry The air wiped the tears dry The silence tastes sweet here and I cringe at the taste of sugar Day 18 I tore up the garden today. The tulips giggled as I snapped their necks. No dirt beneath—just velvet lining. I screamed into my reflection in the lake with no ripples. She smiled back lips curled at a planned angle I wandered around the city grabbing strangers by the wrists I want to shake their smile off their faces— What hurts here? I ask They blink: What’s that? Day 19 A couple invited me to dinner. Ray and Jay. They’ve never fought. They finish each other’s sentences like synchronized clocks. They agree on the color of the sheets, the taste of strawberries, how long to hold eye contact. I watched them toast to peace. I wanted to scream just to see if they’d flinch— I don’t know how much more I can take. Day ?? I stepped off the roof Not for death, no— i just want a crack in the lined tiles hair unravelled by wild wind a cut that stings before it heals But the air caught me, soft as a baby’s first blanket I landed on a bed of roses with no thrones Ray helped me up while Jay offered me apple tea “Hello, Alice,” they said “Welcome back to the dream.”