Jabberwocky

By: Krishna Advani
(@mskrishnaadvani on Instagram)

A poem about the Jabberwocky, a metaphor for ‘fear’ from ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and the fearlessness it brings with being slain.

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I felt a calming fear in me
Subsiding with each 
Button on my coat — 
Maybe it was the fear 
Of finally crossing the moat. 
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I felt a pleasant fear in me 
That dissipated with each 
Coffee cup clutched — 
Maybe it was the fear 
Of walking without a crutch.  
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I felt a thrilling fear in me 
That was erased 
By each passerby — 
Maybe it was the fear 
Of having no one to hear a cry. 
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I felt a joyous fear in me 
That swelled with each
Passing train — 
Maybe it was the fear 
Of finding myself again. 
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I felt a terrific fear in me 
That melted with each
Step towards home — 
Maybe it was the fear
From being around the unfamiliar, alone. 
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I felt the best sort of fear in me 
That grew as I boarded 
My plane —
Maybe it was the fear 
Of losing myself again. 
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I felt a freeing fear in me 
That enlarged with 
Every breath — 
Maybe it was the fear 
Of feeling fearless to death. 

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