give a girl a doll
and she’ll show you
what is being done to her
*
I’d use my mother’s red lipstick
to mark the blood wounds of my figurines
*
and like two pieces that didn’t fit together
I made my Barbie and my Action Man squeak and creak
*
my sister’s dolls were never meant to be clothed
never meant to have hair
a clear face
shedding invisible skin after invisible skin
unnatural
*
not untouched
not uncoveted
*
I’d make my dolls perfect
I’d control their worlds
I’d be on top
my hands on their bodies
my words in their mouths
taking care of them
brushing their hair
dressing them
look at this beautiful house
everything they have
look [away]
*
I reclaimed my power when I played
but I was still only replaying your narrative
*
who’s in charge of my dollhouse?
Croque-Melpomene 