An Inner Alcatraz Poem by Margaret Alice

Now let’s see, what was it like to be
a child; oh no, scary, can’t see,
can’t relate to anybody

Multiplication a nightmare, feeling
no love, life meaningless, pointless
activities, being nauseous

Listening to stories, reading wonderful
things, gaining brilliant insight the
only feel-good-things

Fingers and eyes not synchronized,
do not like school, can’t sleep at night,
always get up feeling tired...

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Change the scenario, create a fantasy;
allergy treated, pain-free diet & energy,
special tuition and schooling

Seeing perfectly with the right glasses,
loving parents and siblings – no, can’t
conjure this vision as yet

Can’t see me as this child, see me as a
personification of Alice in Wonderland,
Dian Serfontein

Saartjie Baumann, Vicky Villard, escape
from an inner Alcatraz, fleeing fear,
fatigue and listless depression...