Alice Unchained

My recent blog on Just How Deep Is This Rabbit Hole, inspired a friend of mine to put the finishing touches on a poem she has been working for about five years. I enjoyed it at the same time I related the struggle and the new found freedom that lies at its end. Many of you will recognize her references to various terms we use around Lifestream. I reprint it here with her permission

Alice Unchained
By Betty Tormino

Twisting, turning, stomach churning,
Mama’s got a brand new bag?
Twirling, whirling dervish, yearning,
When can I remove the gag?

Down the rabbit hole I’m tumbling,
Where’s the light I used to know?
Icarus with feathers crumbling,
Will the Father really show?

Red pill, blue pill, sounds like Whoville‚
Is this where I want to land?
My voice, my choice, hopes that I will
Find myself within his hand.

Falling, calling, mind is stalling,
Ignorance is really bliss?
Searching, lurching, questions perching,
Oblivion deserves my kiss?

Flailing, sailing, headache wailing,
Father’s just a hope away?
Bottom’s coming, senses numbing,
Fear is love that’s gone astray?

Fog is lifting, burdens shifting,
Formulas are working here?
Truth is that I’m wheat for sifting,
Now my nakedness is clear.

Sudden landing finds me standing
Looking for the exit sign.
Now appearing, mirror searing,
This reflection is it mine?

Image melting, metal smelting,
What remains after the dross?
Like a Dali painting folly,
Will my life survive the loss?

Doorway beckons within seconds
Bidding me to enter in.
Path to follow, leaves me hollow,
NATO* journey now begins?

New life starting, old one parting,
Paradigm has made a shift?
Human efforts gone like Stepfords,
Trusting Him will mend the rift.

Daisy picking, petals drifting,
Suddenly is child‚s play.
Time for walking, shut up talking,
Mind’s renewing everyday.

Daily teaching, his love reaching
Helping me to grow in Him.
Five years cresting, Alice resting,
Getting it‚ is sinking in.

Now I’m dialing, calling, flying,
Hoping that the plugged in hear.
Love that’s freeing, living, breathing,
The rabbit hole’s no place to fear.

(NATO: not attached to outcome)

© Copyright 2005 by Betty Tormino
Used With Permission

8 thoughts on “Alice Unchained”

  1. Very cool. There’s comfort in realizing we are not alone. In one form or another many will relate to what you wrote, Betty. Some will get only the first part with maybe a yearning for the latter. Others will see it as the unfolding, ongoing story of their lives. As long as there is breath in these earthen vessels there will be transformations to take place, choices to make, deaths to ourselves, more of Him and less of us. The rabbit hole continues to call us deeper.

  2. Very cool. There’s comfort in realizing we are not alone. In one form or another many will relate to what you wrote, Betty. Some will get only the first part with maybe a yearning for the latter. Others will see it as the unfolding, ongoing story of their lives. As long as there is breath in these earthen vessels there will be transformations to take place, choices to make, deaths to ourselves, more of Him and less of us. The rabbit hole continues to call us deeper.

  3. Kelly Martin-Shirk

    Thank you, Betty. Wish I could reply in rhyme – however, there would be –

    sighing, groaning and too much moaning

    your heart would be tried

    and your patience fried

    and to me a brain you’d be loaning. 😉

    Anyway, all I could say is yes, yes, yes. Only someone who has been there could have written it. May I share it with others who are in the process?

  4. Kelly Martin-Shirk

    Thank you, Betty. Wish I could reply in rhyme – however, there would be –

    sighing, groaning and too much moaning

    your heart would be tried

    and your patience fried

    and to me a brain you’d be loaning. 😉

    Anyway, all I could say is yes, yes, yes. Only someone who has been there could have written it. May I share it with others who are in the process?

  5. Please share away! And yes, it is a never ending story. I kind of look at this "rabbit hole" as one journey of many. I’m sure I’ll find more holes along the way. Or…hmm…a looking glass maybe?

  6. Please share away! And yes, it is a never ending story. I kind of look at this "rabbit hole" as one journey of many. I’m sure I’ll find more holes along the way. Or…hmm…a looking glass maybe?

  7. Kelly Martin-Shirk

    Thank you for permission.

    "I’m sure I’ll find more holes along the way." –

    I tumbled into one yesterday – free-fall was awful for a time and then low – soft landing and a new entering into His rest.

    I love what David wrote in his response – "…unfolding, ongoing story of their lives… transformations… choices… deaths – more of Him and less of us."

    Amen! It is good to have company.

  8. Kelly Martin-Shirk

    Thank you for permission.

    "I’m sure I’ll find more holes along the way." –

    I tumbled into one yesterday – free-fall was awful for a time and then low – soft landing and a new entering into His rest.

    I love what David wrote in his response – "…unfolding, ongoing story of their lives… transformations… choices… deaths – more of Him and less of us."

    Amen! It is good to have company.

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