The Queen’s Garden

In the Queen’s garden we stand tall until the wind makes us shake

or the Queen’s voice makes us quake

as we shiver to the mighty roar of “OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!”

until we can breathe after the Queen’s gone to bed.

Some of us drip “vulgar” red paint,

while others, frightened, faint.

Some are kept company by the guards.

(But oh, they can be such cards!)

We watch games of flamingo croquet

and spend our days

waiting to be free from the Queen’s tyranny

or just to be invited out for tea.

But, for us, it’s too late –

we missed an important date,

so we must suffer a most unfortunate fate…

We stay here and wait

as our paint dries

and listen to her cries

of “OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!”

with deep dread and prepare for slumber in our earthy bed.

*Inspired by "Alice in Wonderland" and from the perspective of the roses.