Splendid Poetry by Lori Zybala

BIO

Lori A. Zybala is a Canadian -based writer passionate about the intertwining of human existence, nature, and the love of language. Poetry is her natural extension, a paper and pencil union of the conscious and subconscious mind. Her poetry has appeared in multiple on-line publications across the global writing community, including Free Verse Revolution, Kelp Literary Journal and Wingless Dreamer.

Sweet Alice: Before or After

Looking through; as the blank page questions.
“Were you here before or after?”

shadowed thoughts, unwritten characters
red velvet curtain never raised

Sweet Alice inevitably tumbled down a rabbit hole.
did the rest come before or after?

…

Mad hatter abruptly sits to the table,
green hat selected for the occasion
eyeing up the delectable morsels
saliva rolling off his questioning tongue.

Sweet Alice, do we dine before or after?

Twirling the sterling silver fork
queen of hearts heard sneering in the distance
royal clock stuck at six.

Cups of white bone China empty
Tea of empathy un-poured
bitter cookies dry of feeling
placed on silver trays crumble
tiny fractions of time, stacked as sugar cubes, in crystal bowls

Have I been here before or after? sticks on Alices dry tongue.

March Hare leans in, ears turn to answer
porcelain plate rolls of the proverbial table
eyes turn, royal clock remains stuck at six
glass of compassion empty
pitchers of liquid full
where are the humans that pour?

Mad hatter twists the linguist knife
eyes twinge in release
‘Oh, sweet Alice, where has your help gone?

…

Above ground, world revolving, humans come and go
dressed for the occasion, performing in the daily show

Eyes as empty glasses, dry to the touch
hearts; as Queen of diamonds, stone cold
Cheshire slick persona, rage against the machine
marching – marching, endless concrete scene

….

The White Rabbit, escaping the ‘normal’ world
re-enters – executing the correct time
busy, busy, must prepare, tea to be served at six
mustn’t keep the Queen waiting

…

Alice remains at the table, clock still stuck at six
compressing air – clamps the heart
prisoner or free? looking in – or looking out?
questions pour outside the looking glass

A change in position, required
leaning in, “may we switch seats” waking up Dormouse
recognizing the ease of negotiating with a mouse
creating a bold illusion

The impenetrable table position
between March Hare and Hatter
Alice slides into position
anticipating the hidden key lies there

Playing cards placed on the table
time to embrace the deck dealt
recognizing the proverbial mind cage
opens inside her true self

soft emerald eyes reopen
tree of life embraces the river’s bank
leaves rain down upon sweet Alice
mind over matter, sweet paradigm shift

Reminders:

With a cover designed by our of award-winning Japanese artist Hikari, and with artistic photos by award-winning Japanese photographer Naoki Kimura included, please do not miss the chance to have your words grace the pages of our upcoming book, Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku. Email five haiku(s) at literaryrevelations@pm.me and label your submission 5 Haiku.

Submission closes February 28.

We are now open for art submission. Please read on our website how to submit.