Doll Lessons Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

to learn to keep a face

revealing nothing more

than a vague pleasantness

in or out of doors

to sit or stand in place

not by stealth, but Grace

to grow accustomed if need be

to the same silk dress

with faux jeweled beads

that you had on under the Tree

to imaginary teas

to please, never having to vary

just by thinking: pretty please, with a cherry

to being left for hours

to sit among the flowers

with no other company

than the teddy bears

the wilting roses sometimes

to be rained on

with no feeling

other than

here I am with my bent parasol

the rosebud mouth the same

having nothing to exclaim

forever beautiful

even when shunned

stunning in a pink lace shawl

mistaken for the angelical

having no message at all.

mary angela douglas 23 november 2022; 7 february 2023