My mother was witness. I see myself, as if looking from above.
four years old
how the china doll
I held
shattered on the floor
. . . still my empty arms
Though well cared for, most of them met with tragedy at some point: for example, the pretty one whose neck gave out; the "kissing" doll who broke when I gave her a bath in my grandparents' sink; the baby doll riddled with dart holes courtesy of a neighbor boy (brother to my best friend).
Polly, the doll
with long golden braids
and a gash
that allowed me to see
her sawdust insides
I chose the names of my future daughters when I was just a child. From where does the nurturing instinct come?
a girl whose dolls
were all neatly clothed
and coiffed . . .
not knowing then
that I'd have no children
were all neatly clothed
and coiffed . . .
not knowing then
that I'd have no children
—Skylark, premiere edition, Summer 2013
"a girl whose dolls" was initially published in Simply Haiku, Vol. 6, No. 1 (Spring 2008), and subsequently in Take Five, Vol. 1 (2009)
Oh wow...the first and the last just twist my heart! Each of these, so well done Janet!
ReplyDeleteVery precious reminiscences – with an ache of tenderness. Really, just lovely, Janet.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my faithful readers, J and W!
ReplyDeleteI was such a doll lover as a child.
Three wonderful tanka, each of which could stand alone quite nicely--but together, embedded in the prose, they make a very rich and poignant piece.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments, jenny!
ReplyDelete