Porcelain Poem by Wendy Moravec

Thrash! Goes the thunder in the night
Pulling my stomach through my throat
Causing in me an urge to fall broken to the ground
As lifeless and hollow as a porcelain doll.

I catch ahold of myself
Forcing a calmness I did not feel
Picturing myself in a haven
where no harm can I acquire.

I search for my pulse
Wanting to ensure myself of my own health.
I cannot find it
Panicking, I grope my chest
Searching for the thrust of my heartbeat
I cannot find it, cannot find it at all, whatsoever.

I hear a noise and my eyes move slowly
Encountering a looming shape before my eyes
I feel myself being picked up
Stunned as I face a pair of eyes
Larger than my entire face.

And suddenly with stark clarity
I see myself for what I am.
I have no heart for my chest is hollow
And I have no blood for I am veinless
My body can shatter if gently tossed
And my eyes stare unseeingly.
I AM a porcelain doll.
Hollow, cool and stiff.