Alice gleams in the mad, mad world while

parents teach their young to share a rock in the sun – 

the sparrow bold and sharp finds crumbs –

and the moth believes herself beautiful. 

Black eyed susans flirt by water’s edge –

clouds swim in the pond – 

while strange monster daisies stretch for the sun.  

Brides marry, half-mad with love –  undone – 

a man holds a plum – 

and an old lady shares her fries with her papillons.

So what if a rat surprises you in the Rambles? In the wilds of the Park, one rat among squirrels, going about his ratty business with his bad reputation?

Still the troubadour sings his songs in a mad mad world – songs ringing truths old and ever young