Porcelain-china framed by
tightly-curled horse hair
red lips curled in derision
eyelashes arranged over
eyes which follow you

dressed in
prim and proper panties
lace up shoes
and frilly collars

sticky childish secrets
fill her empty head.

Lessons about being
a good obedient girl
sitting quietly in a cream chamber
stilling your heart to slow
willing your mind to numb

not like the girls who cut their dolls’ hair
smash in their little faces
undress their bodies

girls not sure how to play
with these creatures

girls not sure what creatures
they’re being asked to play themselves.