Paper Dolls

I write upon my twisted trails of fairytales
Whereby some arcane beauty is defined
As meek blonde girls sweeping the coals
No chance to dance at balls
Hoping only for pity from some magic elf
Or a royal's fetish for tiny feet

But now she's shattering those mirrors of deceit
crossing out lies left too long on the shelf
She needs no prince to break her walls
No damsel wrote this scroll
while the black haired adventurer partakes of wine
riding on backs of disappearing whales

whose red shadows splash over purple pirate sails
by colors erupting outside gray lines
as she cuts holes in paper souls
of heartless paper dolls
Once she rescues herself from this passive pale self
she will quiver the air with her drumbeats

2/1/21

'I Write Upon' contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Peck Avatar
March 20, 2022 at 4:42 PM
I love this, Michelle, especially your last line. So full of promise.
Y. Avatar
February 15, 2021 at 10:08 AM
Hi Michelle , I’m just coming back to say congratulations on your winning write. Have a great day:-) Alexis
Faulkner Avatar
February 23, 2021 at 8:11 PM
Appreciate it, thanks, Alexis!
La France Avatar
February 15, 2021 at 9:18 AM
Michelle, congratulations on your win in my contest, I Write Upon, using my Invented Form, your poem is wonderful _Constance
Faulkner Avatar
February 23, 2021 at 8:11 PM
Thank you for placing me in your contest, Constance~
Horsman Avatar
February 5, 2021 at 6:56 PM
Brilliant imagery, Michelle. An eerie tale of despair followed by a positive mind, is how i interpret this., Gem.
Faulkner Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 8:02 PM
Thank you for your introspective take on this, always glad to hear from you~
Leffanta Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 11:52 AM
Even with tiny feet, your niece should beware glass slippers! Aloha! Rico
Faulkner Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 8:02 PM
They sound very uncomfortable to wear, actually!
Y. Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 11:47 AM
Hi Michelle, What a great take on the contest theme. The character in your write is fierce and a force to reckoned with. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day:-) Alexis
Faulkner Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 8:01 PM
It is all about breaking the glass (slipper) ceiling, like Gershon said below, thanks for commenting!
Allison Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 11:28 AM
what a wonderful take on the theme Michelle, I found the imagery quite spooky to be honest like the inner being of a tormented soul:-( I never played with dolls as a child and the temptation to cut paper dolls to shreds has quite lure to it lol !!:-) hugs jan xx
Faulkner Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM
I've never deliberately cut up paper dolls, but the idea is morbidly fascinating :)
Proxenos Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 10:34 AM
Cinderella takes a leading roll in this gem of a poem I might be completely wrong - are the last two verses about Cinderella or about a different character? 'Cuts holes in paper souls of heartless paper dolls' I enjoyed this poem my friend and think you are a genius! Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Faulkner Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 7:59 PM
Thank you my friend, this is about how girls are breaking stereotypes to be their own hero, instead of waiting for someone else to save them~
Mcintosh Avatar
February 2, 2021 at 3:20 AM
I love this!!! You did a awesome job here. I love it! God bless you always with love and prayers, Gina
Wolf Avatar
February 1, 2021 at 3:32 PM
'She' sounds like a cross between Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman, and Harriet Tubman. Maybe an 'intersection' instead of a cross. ! I like how you've smashed 'poor Cinderella' to smitherines. Or should I say into pumpkin pieces. You have now broken the 'glass slipper ceiling, Michelle! Ingenious. :) gw
Faulkner Avatar
February 1, 2021 at 5:01 PM
I was inspired by my little niece and how she is breaking the stereotypes when she plays, without even realizing it! Thanks for your generous feedback, gw~
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