Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

 

 

 

 

as a child

i don’t recall the golden book

ever read to me

of “Alice in Wonderland”

 

a tea party

of character allusions,

a white rabbit

the Hatter,

whatever would there be

to matter

 

but a rabbit hole

i fear i fell into

at the age of six

with the passing of my father

 

it obliterated my youth

of a man i cannot summon

the memory of

the scent of

the feel of

 

to conjure up

the timbre of his voice

in verse,

of pages turning with illustrations

capturing my imagination

 

of a girl named Alice

in Wonderland.

 

 

Author's Note

I heeded the memory of my father never having read the book to me, which became the muse I needed.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Such a touching and poignant read; the little girl dream of a man she never knew. It makes me glad that I'm still around for my little girl. I'll try not to ever take that for granted. I have drawn illustrations of Alice in Wonderland; some based on the work of Tenniel, and others, originals. I've read many books to my youngest but she's big enough now where she likes to choose her own reading. I still will grab something I think she might like to read. We went to the Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance this year. I'd just got out of the hospital the night before but I wasn't going to miss that. I bought her a little red gown and cream colored tights and patent leather slippers...she was so adorable and she had a great time. Picture 60 or seventy little girls all screaming Chapelle Roan's "Hot To Go" at maximum volume. It was deafening. And then... they played Taylor Swift. The things I endure for being the "Best Dad Ever"...of course all little girls say that about their dads. And I think they should. ((((())))))

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've heard it said that a father is the first love of a little girl's life. I believe it to be so. Thank you for filling in the missing pieces, my friend!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Check out the pic in my photos of my little dance partner. :) I just added it. Loved your poem.

[redzone]

(((KELLY))) Losing a dad or mom is always difficult, but at 6, damn that is so much harder I think. I am glad you wrote this poem as a remembrance of your father, both for the comfort it has given you, and also for the sharing of your life with us, the readers.

My dad and I had a kind of love hate relationship for a very long time. But over the past 10 years before his passing, we grew closer and came to understand each other more. My dad never read "Alice In Wonderland" to my brother and I, he read us poetry. He liked more traditional rhyming poems, like Wadsworth (his favorite). Puss & Boots, Winken, Blinken and Nod, and for a while I could recite them. I do believe that his reading us poetry as bedtime stories is one of the reasons I love to write poetry today. By the way, he also wrote a few himself which I have kept in a file.

I hope you do not mind my own dad experience here, it's just that I feel that in sharing there is a calmness and acceptance of losing a loved one.
-Curt

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your Dad reading you poetry as a child is absolutely why you have a love of poetry today! My Dad used to paint, so I feel my love for expression was most influenced by him. It's as if our Dads put us on this path in life, to give of ourselves in the most nurturing of ways. Thank you, Curt. You are most welcomed to share your loss!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kelly, your words here touched me a great deal. The little you, who lost her father at such a young age who has no memory of him, but yearns for a link to the past. Our Beth has lived with us since she was a year old, she is now 24. Her Dad died when she was ten months. She has no memories. We built a scrap book for her with pictures, sayings etc to try and fill a small gap. Your beautiful poem impacted me greatly. Thank you for the gift of your poetry.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

The scrapbook will serve as an extension of his life, and hopefully atone for some of those gaps. Thank you for the kindness showered upon me. It overwhelms my heart in many ways!

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Kelly.

[Dylan Macadham]

A sad yet inspiring remembrance, Kelly. I'm a father, and I know if he were still here (which of course in many ways he is) he'd be so proud :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Dylan. I appreciate that!

[MCS]

Brilliant piece of writing, my friend. I’m sorry you had this experience at such a young age. Life is not the same following an event like this. I was also six when my papa passed. He was my male role model. My father was in the navy and at sea for long periods of time. Your post reminded me of how life changes on a dime.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's unfathomable to lose a parent at such a tender age. I find the void of his absence ever with me. My sympathy goes to you, Mary. Thank you!

[red93]

Fabulous Work again Kels. Your Father lives in Heaven and I am sure watches over you, as mine does. I lost my Dad at the age of 9, and 4 weeks later, I was back at boarding school. Remarkable and Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's unfathomable to think how life goes on after such a loss at a tender age. How the void becomes more and more pronounced through the years. Thank you, Tony!

[Relic]

No matter what I read from you it's always hard-hitting in some way. This is really hard-hitting.
Excellent writing, Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for the kindness of your words, Tim!

[andrew mitchell]

Yes growing up is never managed and hence we carry those images til death. I find disturbing images tend to be the ones I cannot forget, wish I could lol. Your style of writing is impeccable, so nice to read like drinking a smooth red wine.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've never been compared to a smooth red wine. You know what, I love it! Thank you, Andrew!

[andrew mitchell]

Meaning your writing is as smooth as a red wine, to be slowly taken in with savoured enjoyment.

[Lorry]

This is so sadly sad Kelly.
Sometimes we can remain that young child while growing but other times fate lends an unhelpful hand in proceedings, where we have to grow up quicker than normal, with circumstances completely outwit a child's control making life that bit harder to navigate when a parent misses the setting scene.
Every girl should be able to excitedly imagine the story of Alice evolving as it is read to them in the comfort and safety of their own home, but life as we know isn't always fair and I'm sure he'd be proud of how his little girl turned out.
Keep writing your tales and adventures Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You nailed it, Lorry. Every little girl should be able to imagine the story of Alice. I never did, and it conjured up the loss of my Dad never being there to read it to me. That was my story. My interpretation of Alice! Thank you, Lorry, for a most wonderful review!

[Lorry]

You're very welcome.

[hiren]

Hi kelly,

Why did you block me?.
Family stays even we perish. Anger comes and goes.
I know when you give back love it comes back. Hope you felt my love.
We are just emotional.
I love my family.
People are just immature.
Only when we realise we become bigger.

I love my man. He is elder to you.

Missing you,
Jessy Jacob.