And

Withstand pandemonium
and scandalous
nightstands
commanding candlelight

         and
         quicksand

and zinfandel
clandestine landmines
candy handfuls
and contraband

         and
         handmade

commandments
and merchandise
secondhand husbands
philandering

         and
         landless

and vandal
bandwagons slandered
and branded
handwritten reprimands

         and
         meander

on an island
landscaped with chandeliers
abandon handcuffs
standstills

         and
         backhands

notwithstanding
thousands of oleanders
and dandelions
handpicked

         and
         sandalwood

and mandrake
and random demands
the bystander
wanders

         in
         wonderland.