Tick Tock, Tick Tock.

The rat climbed onto my spot.

His hairy tail and dirty frills curled up in my teacup slot.

He squeaked and choked and drank my cup with his dirty, ragged fleas.

I watched in silence, restraining violence, as he smashed my lover’s tea.

My hat sat atop my head, tangled in its ragged nest.

Grey hair and fungi small,

Mushroom mould and grass grow tall.

Corpse-like skin, flies kiss my chin,

I hate to say that I have fallen,

but Queen of Hearts, you saw the calling.

I wait and wait like widowed grace,

standing amidst your bitter taste.

You drive me mad and make me sad

Now I sit with rats and an old, torn-up hat,

I wait and wait, persistence proceeds,

while your chair remained vacant, ignoring my pleas.

Oh, you monster, what have you done to me?

Cold buzzing tea and rain-stained forgotten trees

May you be witness to my final decree

I sit in silence and drink my tea.

“My first and final, forgotten love—

May I drive you mad like you have driven me.”

For I am the Mad Hatter, and unfortunately

That’s all I’ll ever be.

Drained by you, and chained to you

Queen of my Heart.