The world was steeped in endless shade
When Alice stepped into the glade
And all along her skin could feel it
A rind so black no light could peel it.

She’d made for the aquarium
But found a weald bereft of sun
White rabbit had led her towards it
When she’d caught him on the toilet.

“I perceive,” she said undaunted
“This forest’s more than simply haunted
A pall’s been cast upon the branches
Here a being of mischief dances.”

And as if though, by those words bidden
A crescent moon was then unhidden
In countenance like golden heath
Then fetid, rotting, yellow teeth.

“To walk into this place,” it smiled,
“Denotes a soul that's truly wild”
Pale eyes emerged then, just above it
“So few who find the darkness love it.”

“And fewer still herein explore
For rare’s the soul that finds the door,”
Then it added one thing more
“You must be an uncommon whore.”

The smile’s taunt fell on deaf ears
‘Neath honey hair cut short and sheared
With razor’s edge she’d shaved the sides
And long since ignored petty jibes.

Her form was graceful, posture mighty
Though powerful, her feet fell lightly
Her face a thing of jagged beauty
Enhanced by breasts, biceps, and booty.

“Im on my way,” Alice admitted
“To see the new penguin exhibit
Your visitor here, if you’ll have me
I’m Alice, but just call me, ‘Alli.’”

“An Alli Kat then,” purred the smile
“You’ll find I'm too a bit feline”
Around the smirk and eyes observant
There formed coarse fur, violet and verdant.

It lounged among the tree’s low limbs
And flashed its yellowed toothy grin
“Beware the painted rose,” it said.
Beware the queen who’d have your head.”

“Better to just avoid it all
Stay here and into darkness fall
Let penguins fade to memory
Safer to just live here with me.”

“Besides upon your skin, methinks
I spy a riddle in your ink
An inescapable reminder
Of the shadow that lurks just behind ya.”

“The vengeful servant you employed
By wandering too near the void
The pain of every failed decision
The voice that speaks only derision.”

“It’s quitting time, Alli, my dear
The demons are what hold you here
There’s just no sense in trying to fight ‘em
Resistance just makes their bonds tighten.”

She paused, this bright, brave little Alice
Then pulled the cat down from its branches
Cradled it gently, stroked it rougher
And spoke to it like nursing mother.

“Poor Cheshire soul,” she beamed down sweetly
“Thank you for coming out to greet me
I think you’ll find, though most avoid it
You can love the dark, and not destroy it.

“If I let every misstep haunt me
I’d take this world’s full weight upon me
And though my shoulders might could bear it
[She flexed] I’d rather just not wear it.”

She gave the cat a tender nuzzle
Then one lone kiss upon its muzzle
“Most demons don’t know what’s above them
And I chose long ago to love them.”

Then in her arms, the feline faded
Til even its harsh smile abated
In Alli’s hands, remained a note
So she read aloud what cat had wrote

“This world needs hope, and you should be it
I know divine grace when I see it
In this place of constant attacks
Your crown could break the headman’s axe.”

“More fair and wise than midwife’s daughter
Your brain makes you five degrees hotter ;)
Because of this, in my opinion
Your journey ends just full of penguins.”

Our Alice smiled, folded the page
Then pushed right on til light of day
Unbeknownst to this darling hussy
How she’d made brave, the Cheshire pussy