Next Time, Pinch Yourself Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

next time, pinch yourself
don't go to sleep
when your sister tells

a boring story


that's my advice

too late
don't drink the soup,

the tea, don't eat the tarts

they left them out too long, anyway
don't go anywhere

near the Queen

don't run errands for
the rabbit whether he's

wearing gloves or not

don't wind his watch
don't tell them what

you learned in school

and if you catch them painting roses
get the next train out
even if it's the circus express

mary angela douglas february 2008