Playing Dormouse Poem by Margaret Alice Second

A reappearance after being missing for days
after vanishing without a trace, after Ascension
as a sign of grace, everybody else expected to
be at work every day

On the few occasions when the missing person
surfaces she refuses to give those who are here
all the the time permission to leave early; after
staying at home without reason

She threatens and demeans those who stayed at
their posts and the authorities condone everything
this Mad Hatter does, reducing everyone else to
playing Dormouse, closing their eyes

To prolonged absences and then she waltzes in,
delighted with herself that once again she reigns
supreme and these idiots submit to her will - are
we not the most perfect Light Brigade

Perishing while fighting the war while Her Highness
traipses about having fun, enjoying comfort at home,
enjoying our discomfiture when confronted with an
authority figure who never follows the rules

She happily enforces on others?