Aren't We All A Little Mad?

“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

“How do you know I’m mad?”

“You must be or you wouldn’t have come here.”

Father closed the book. 

“I think that’s enough for now, it’s getting late.”

I was confused. 

“But what are they mad about?”

Father looked down at me with his big, brown eyes.

I hated that they always looked so sad.

“The cat doesn’t mean mad, as in upset or angry. 

He means mad as if something isn’t right in their head.”

Father tucked me into bed, kissed me goodnight, and shut off the light.

Leaving me alone with my thoughts until sleep folded me in her arms…

I opened my eyes and saw my Teddy - 

My cozy and fluffy, white teddy bear.

I had brought him into bed already -  

But alas, on my dresser, he was there.

Unease crept up as he stared right at me,

I squeezed my pillow when I saw his eyes. 

No, it’s impossible, it could not be!

And my head was suddenly drowned in whys. 

His eyes once brown, were now a crimson red,

And Teddy’s eyebrows furrowed dreadfully.

I stared in terror and trembled when he said,

“I shall not bear this hopeless destiny.”

And with that, his eyes turned back brown and sad,

Leaving me to wonder if I’d gone mad.