Premiere Contest WinnerWonderland

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.”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Lacatus Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
CONGRATULATIONS JASMINE!!!
Tsai Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Thank you Florin!
Bartley Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Congratulations on your trophy! Very well deserved. A Wonderful read.
Tsai Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Thank you, Benjamin! I'm so happy, it's my first trophy!
Carmack Avatar
August 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Congrats Jasmine!!
Tsai Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Thank you, Rob!
Seeker Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Truly a utopian dream world, all bliss. Wonderfully crafted, Jasmine, a truly outstanding write. Warmest congratulations on your trophy win.
Tsai Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Thank you so much :)
Peck Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Your poem took my breath. It's a masterpiece. Alice grown up into a world with pain and soft landings that come at a price. Congratulations on your win!
Tsai Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Thank you for your comment, Ann, you're too kind <3
Grubb Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Jasmine, beautifully done--you capture the eerie perfection of a world too smooth to be real. The descent from wonder to quiet desperation is masterful. Congrats on your well-deserved 1st place finish.
Tsai Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Thank you so much, Mickey! :D
Daniels Avatar
August 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Congrats, Jasmine! Interesting journey she went on. I enjoyed Day ??. Roses needing no thorns is a good one, though where will we get our pricks from !
Tsai Avatar
August 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Thank you, Ghairo <3 The rosebed with no thorns is unnaturally chilling, in my opinion. Roses do look better with their thorns.
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