The little girl brushes

The pretty doll’s hair
Staring at it
In admiration

It has
Eyes like the blue ocean
       Rosie lips and freckled cheeks
           Teeth that glisten like diamonds
                  And perfect silky locks.

She dreams of being
Like one of the dolls
They’re so

     Pretty

     Graceful

     Flawless. 

The dolls have
everything,

  Dresses
  Bows
and
  Ribbons.

But she doesn’t see
What the pretty doll sees
She doesn’t see
the  t r u t h .

The momma doll
Always has a smile
Drawn on her face
But her eyes says it all
When she kisses her
Children late at night

The smell of old whiskey 
  Lingers in the a
                          i
                             r

The poppa doll

Took an oath to his woman
But he is never home
Before midnight.

He comes back
Looking tired and worn out

       With lipstick stains on his collar.

The brother doll
Always seems so diligent
With his his slicked back hair
And red velvet bow tie
But stored at the back
Of his bathroom cabinet

          Are pretty colored pills.

Tick
     Tick
           Tick

Quick!

Get into your places!

Put on your plastic faces!

The little girl dresses
The pretty doll
Staring at it in confusion

She notices
That the doll looks
 

     Sorrow

     Drained

     Flawed.