The Toy Poem by Marieta Maglas

This comfort object is something tangible.
It is only an object, a long-time gift
from his mother. Even though
he is aware now that it means merely
symbolic security stuff,
he still finds some
psychological solace in it.
Though he knows it belongs to
the memory space,
he still wants to touch it.

This is where he moves into transition.
He sees an illusion,
the first 'not he' of himself
in the mirror
for the first time in his life.

After so many times adjusting
to other circumstances,
he must now adjust to this one.


He comes to the realization that
he has always been
his mother's object,
her toy, and
her newborn.

Together with his mother, he has been whole.

This material object resembles a creature.
It has an amusing name that
reminds him of his childhood.

Represents joy and happiness.
He must get relief from his fears.

After the accident, he is sad and
somewhat shocked.
He is even unaware
of his survival.

As he drifts off to sleep,
his only true desire is
to travel to Antarctica.
Never once has he been there.

He feels as though his mother is far away.
It was through that car—
which he was driving—
that he learned of her death.

No way would he do that.

His mother has always seemed to him
like an extension of himself.


He had heard that
it was possible to relocate
all the white bears to Antarctica.
He needs his white plush toy right now,

a comfort object—this toy.




Poem by Marieta Maglas