Valerie Bellefleur Poet Couplet

Stage Door Kiddies

Babes in arms they come
carried or toddling into a dark studio

of a magical California morning
little Shirley Temples in

scarlet hair ribbons and golden curls
crushed velvet frocks

black patent Mary Janes
chubby legs in white lace socks

sailor suited infants drool
and gurgle on satin bowties

ticking clocks and puzzled children
hold fast onto mothers' hands who

believe their little angels are extensions 
of themselves and their ambitions

time and interviews drag on
irritated infants squirm and fuss

as regrets and disappointments
are hastily delivered and absorbed

pass back through the doors of lost hopes
that too many have entered

in this wonderland
known as Hollywood..

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Vince Suzadail Jr. November 17, 2008 at 5:02 PM Jay North was an exploited child and now they seem to be coming out of the woodwork. No better than those child labor factories you wrote about. Exploitation is exploitation. God Bless. Vince

Carrie Richards November 5, 2008 at 11:34 AM I have never understood the cravings of the stage-mothers, who seek their own glory through their innocent, teary little children. Makes me fume, when I see those pageants too, that exploit. Yes...I loved Shirley Temple, Margaret O'Brian movies when I was a child, but the price that some of them paid was too much...fortunately a few survived, and did well. Thought provoking poem! ~ Carrie