Dolls Lie Naked On The Floor Poem by Manjula Reddy

Dolls Lie Naked On The Floor

They emerge new
They emerge fresh
All in their Sunday best

Displayed in rows
Garments sparkling 
Bejeweled and pink faced

Waiting to be bought
Waiting to be sold
Mutual benefit

Buyers go crazy
Though many they have 
Back home

They still covet
Still lust
Still dream

Once purchased
The garments come off
Swapped

Repainted, redesigned
Accessorized 
A pink kitchen maybe

A pretty purse in hand
High heels
New home

A tea party even
To mingle
Play pretend

Withstanding weeks
Of abuse
Twisted in body

Used
Consumed
Devoured

Broken arms, broken legs
Dolls lie naked
On the floor

Red lipstick smeared
Hair a mess
Dolls lie naked on the floor

There are new ones
In the market
Fresh, in season

The Child Brides of India
With dolls
Lie naked on the floor