Porcelain

Written by: Sana Anuar

On the very top of shelves,

Stood daintily a group of friends.

Their ringlets framed their visage softly,

Their faces shined with lustre coldly,

Their dresses fluttering away

Should they ever come to sway.

But they never did, because no one would ever

Like or dare play with them. Who would ever

Want to touch a toy you can easily break?

On the bottom shelf sat a rag doll,

Which was carefully sawn by little Mary

With lots of love. 

The pretty garments that they wore

“Are the best I’ve seen!” She swore,

When the older sisters smiled

Needles working all the while.

Needless would it be to say,

Dresses with most love were made.

The rag doll was stitched slightly awkwardly

By little Mary. One limp was bigger than the

Other, but at least that was because she

Cared more about the rag to patch it up

After a long day of game. Who would ever

Want to glue broken porcelain in place?

Faintest scars adorned their cheeks

Or crossed the road across the bridge. 

“My little marbles!” She would call ‘em,

As she adored their brand new pattern.

Her little fingers glazed with glue,

Her forehead covered with dew. 

Oh, look! It’s little Mary! The rag doll

Wonders what sort of an adventure they will

Go on together today. Yesterday was a jolly

Nice tea party.

Coming early back from school

Mary takes with her a stool,

And she puts it near the shelves—

—Ouch! She just kicked the rag!—

—To bring out her merry friends.

Out she goes, two girl in her embrace,

Whilst the rag doll just lost face,

As the buttons flew, when Mary raced.