Abby the Stabby - 9

Out of the frying pan, into the heat --

Despite all the food, she's had nothing to eat,

The Duchess, her burdens, the froggy-eyed cook

Left Abby frightened and visibly shook

To the point where she waited until they were gone,

Slipped out the back door, sneezed, and moved on;

But no sooner had Abby run out of the house

That she heard a loud party (and wee snoring mouse)

Sat at a table, under a tree

Filling their teacups (plus two or three):

A sickly old man with a limp and a slur

Pinky upright (like a tea connoiseur)

Ragged, yet dignified in his top hat,

He and a March Hare are chewing the fat

While tiny mouse (sat in between them) is snoring

(Abby's guess is, he finds all of it boring).

"Why hello, my friend, won't you sit next to me,"

Says the Hare, "Have some eat, perhaps something to tea!"

"That doesn't make sense," Abby says with a frown, 

Her complaint overshadowed by 'CLEAN CUP - MOVE DOWN'

As everyone joins in on 'musical chairs',

Changing their seats to one that isn't theirs,

While Abigail's focused upon the word "clean"

Triggering memories best left unseen:

The feel of his hands on her, gnarled and perverse,

"Don't say a word, or things will get worse --

You're useless and filthy, you hot little whore...

Just close your eyes, don't say anymore,

Lie back like this, and abandon all hope,

And later I'll bathe you in chemical soap,"

He says with a smirk and a gleam in his eye,

As defeated and sad, Abigail starts to cry.

"Why do you cry? It's just teatime, you know,

Plus, it's a party! Where else would you go

To enjoy an unbirthday? Tell me, today,

We four shall pack up and go there right away!"

"I'm frightened and desperate," she says to the Hare,

"I can't seem to find my way to anywhere, 

I haven't a map, even though it's my dream,

And memories come that make me want to scream..."

"Then scream," mumbles Hatter, "and say what you feel,

Where nothing should hurt you, for none of it's real --

Then sit down with us and enjoy a wee spot,

And I promise you, later you'll be less distraught."

"Oh thank you! You've given my spirits a lift

(Though I'm sorry to tell you I haven't a gift)!"

"No worries, my friend -- I have one you can borrow,

Though I will need it back (Hare's unbirthday is tomorrow)!"

----

© Jackson Cambridge, 2016.