Mommy
I remember a time that I saw a real doll that opened and closed its eyes.
The little girl said that had it said, "It even wets and cries."
When I asked to hold it I was told no and this made me very sad,
Because corn shuck and home made dolls were the only ones I ever had.
Mommy’s eyes were filled with tears when we turned to walk away.
I had never seen my mommy cry so I didn’t know what to say.
In time I forgot about the doll as other things took its place,
But I couldn’t forget the tears I saw on mommy’s tired face.
The doll was never mentioned as time slipped right on by.
My world went on but now and then I’d see my mommy cry.
She worked on a quilt for many weeks until she had it done.
It was so pretty but then she hid it away from everyone.
I found its hiding spot and would go and feel its soft fluffyness,
And it was like giving a baby the most loving mother’s caress.
I wondered why she didn’t use that quilt and didn’t want anyone to see.
"What was her reason?" I thought, that she even hid it from me.
One day when I went to feel the quilt it wasn’t there for me to touch.
It had been taken away and I missed it so very, very much.
I didn’t ask where it was because I wasn’t supposed to know,
And for many days after it was gone mommy’s face was all aglow.
I saw a Sears catalog on the old table and its pages were opened to toys.
I thought I would look at the pictures for girls, not the ones for boys.
In that catalog I found dolls and I began to dream of what I would do,
Then mommy laid a package down and said, "Honey, this is for you."
I saw her calloused hands but her work worn face wore a smile so wide,
When I tore the brown wrapping off the box and looked at what was inside.
It was my turn to cry when I lifted out the doll that quilt had bought for me.
I still have it wrapped in paper with the memory of what a mother’s love can be.
~ Norma Marek ~
Marilyn's Hideaway ~
Domestic Violence ~
Cancer Site Made with love March 24, 2004
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