Collect 'Em All

See that quixotic clockwork doll?

Over-bright glass eyes,winking

Lower lashes against painted cheek, tickling

(Lashing?)

Threadbare stockings, slipping

Fetching velvet frock, unraveling

Corkscrew grin, beckoning

Head bent to hear an unasked question

Is she a charming toy?

Dancing, offbeat

To her private music

Of grinding gears

click clack whiiiiiirr click whiiiirrrrr clack

And coiled springs

click clack click whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir click clump

Whirling round her dollhouse,

Laughing alone

Does she seem to have come undone?

Hear her whisper all her

Action figure aspirations

(Pose-able?)

To the faint reflections
In her tiny, shiny, gloss black shoes.

Disarrayed and dreaming,

She kisses her own hand and smiles