Doll Collection
Submitted by: Haruko Nicole
Grandmother collects dolls
Lining the west wall in her room
In cardboard and paper boxes
Standing rigid, upright
Sitting daintily, legs crossed
Dresses spilling
In lines, in rows, in boxes, in corners
Next to Grandmother's bed
She tucks me in
Silk pajamas protect skin from stiff sheets
She kisses my forehead
Her spot, grandma's greetings
Good night, love
Sweet dreams
Close your eyes, say your prayers
Go to sleep
Grandmother collects dolls
Handmade eyes staring into empty space
From behind plastic frames
Sleep, sleep, sleep
I am awoken by a presence
Lurching closer, sitting beside me
Climbing on top of me
Gripping my ankles
Spreading my legs
OPEN
Rituals before a sacrifice
I felt him on me
Hairy arms stale breath, beer and cigarettes
I felt him on me
I roll over and he is gone
Just simple, silent TV and me
Under rough covers
Lying
Still, still, still
Dolls smiling coyly toward me
Unopened boxes house half-century invisibility
Can I still be on display?
Dust settles heavy on your shelf, grandmother
But you will get a new doll soon someday
It will be so pretty and clean
Except for what we don't say
Grandmother, don't try to touch me
I'm just one dusty doll in your collection anyway.
