Dolls
by Maria Brady-Smith
July 26, 2007
We always played with her dolls.
They were better than mine.
Each had the same
perfectly round blinking eyes,
a look of perpetual surprise,
and the same pursed and pouty lips.
Each was overdressed
in the hypothetical costume
of a different country.
Since they were her dolls,
she directed the play.
'Orphanage'
was her favorite dramatic tragedy.
She was the poor, sweet orphan.
I was the cruel and miserly matron.
"Now,you tell me that
I have to go to bed
with no supper," she'd say.
I complied
because I liked her dolls.
"Let's pretend that
you lock all the orphans in the closet.
I calm them down
by giving them
a crust of my stale bread
and telling them a bedtime story."
Eventually,
I got tired of playing
the abuser to her victim.
I stayed at home with my own
scrubby, well-loved dolls,v their matted hair,
their clothes
cut from fabric scraps.
Years later,
I saw her on the street.
Mid-winter cold,
dark hooded coat
wrapped around
her skelital frame,
her remote eyes, grave face
shockingly emaciated.
I did not yet know the word
'anorexia.'
But I understood
that she had become
her own victim,
her own abuser.
About the author:
I live in Washington, MO with my husband and three daughters. I work for the local school district. I love writing and usually I write poetry. I have some poems published and won some awards for poetry.
Sponsor
Sponsor
An Interview with Heather Masse
In a 2009 interview, Heather Masse tells us about her earliest influences, auditioning in a women's bathroom, and a few memorable moments from A Prairie Home Companion.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
