Notes About The Poem

The Neck Is Broken

The Doll Collection



The necklace scattered: all into little pieces
Another quiet doll for my collection
I twisted her throat until her eyes shown dead
Into the night they stare so very red

I stand her up, on a small doll chair
Crafted with loving hands that freed her from breathing air
They are all in a row, so pretty they are, staring at my wife
She is paralyzed you see, her neck would not even tear for me

I collect dolls, for my loves doll collection
She doesn’t move, only stares in murky recollections
Small pieces of deep anguish leak from her eyes
She recoils at the new dolls I give her as a surprise

They sit in chairs; the doll house is so pretty
With amber and gold, I wrap a necklace around each
Such pretty dolls, that me and my love keep
Each doll face is my path towards guilty redemption

No one knows the secrets we have hidden so deep
No one knows the dolls that we collect and keep
No one knows I have saved them all, they shall never weep
No one knows my wife, paralyzed; so shall never speak

That fateful night she refused to die
Her necklace so beautiful wrapped in blood so dry
In our doll house, my shrine devoted to her
Her tears rain down her face mercilessly clear




Notes: I had just purchased a book called “The Doll Collection” a compilation of short stories edited by Ellen Datlow. For one purpose, I was sure it would inspire me some poetry, of course on the dark side. Then I read a poem by Andrea Dietrich called “The Necklace Broke” From that I had my idea and off I went. I borrowed a few words from Andrea with her permission, and did so on purpose to pay tribute to another great poet here on Soup! Even a poem is so completely different, I think its wonderful that reading other poets provides such great inspiration. I would also ask that people read her poem, and here I provide the link!

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_necklace_broke_831425
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Daniel Avatar
September 27, 2016 at 8:05 AM
A chilling write, Arthur, with great inspiration from an amazing person:) congratulations on Poem of the day:)
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:06 PM
Thank you! :)
Callus Avatar
September 25, 2016 at 4:03 PM
A trademark chiller from you, Arthur! Darkly appreciated! Congrats on p.o.t.d. Regards // paul
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Thank you so much Paul!
Darling Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Great Job!!! My eyes kept getting bigger as I was reading it!!!
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!
Allison Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Many congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:04 PM
Thanks Jan!!
Murray Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 5:15 PM
What a house of horrors Arthur.
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:04 PM
Welcome to the house! :)
Y. Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Hi Arthur, I'm just coming back to say congratulations on getting the poem of day:-) Alexis
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:04 PM
So very kind of you, thank you! Hugs!
Roper Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 9:09 AM
Arthur, wonderful congratulations on poem of the day :-)
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Thank you you Eve!!!! :)
Andresen Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 6:44 AM
- A first class deep poem, Arthur - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. ! (7) - Good luck in the contest - Happy weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Hello there Anne-Lise thank you so much!!!! :)
Manassian Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 4:03 AM
Definitely on the dark side, Arthur...Brought chills. You do this type of write so well. I'm glad Andrea sparked something in you. Congrats on POTD. This poem is dark...and foreboding. Well written.
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:02 PM
Thank you Eileen, as you know, I am the dark side!
Dalei Avatar
September 24, 2016 at 2:49 AM
Arthur, Brilliant write. Well penned every line. A7 from me. Congrats for POTD...........// hugs//Manmath//
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:02 PM
Thank you Manmath, much appreciated!
Roberts Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 8:14 PM
applause to Andrea for inspiring such a wonderful write. Seren
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:01 PM
No applause for me? :)
Y. Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 7:10 PM
Hi Arthur, This is a well written dark and creepy poem. I was never really into dolls. I will go check out Andrea's poem. A without a doubt seven- Alexis
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Thanks Alexis!
Smith Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Great poem Arthur....brings a feeling of sadness and love
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Yes those two words are often married each other.
Nance Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 11:09 AM
wow...awesomely dark
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Thank you Cas! Hugs!
Merryman Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 11:03 AM
This is an amazing write, Arthur! Definitely dark and chilling. Great work! Blessings!
Vaso Avatar
October 2, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Thank you so much Kim!
Spagnola Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 5:59 AM
Now here is the Dark Vaso I remember well!!Creepily awesome, Arthur. I will take the time to read Andrea's poem, she is a fav of mine as well as yourself...yes sir, I really dig how other poets have inspired me....sometimes I'll identify with the poet, others seem wriiten just for me [EGO! LOL). Other times poets paint pictures with their words that move me to write..thanx 4 sharing..peace & light, jill
Vaso Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 9:52 PM
Thanks Jill Glad to see you back!!!! Hugs!!!!
Williams Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 4:37 AM
I really love it, Arthur. You've captured a darkness few ever get to see. It made me look over my shoulder. Very well written. Scott
Vaso Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 9:51 PM
Thank you Scott, much appreciated!
Allison Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 3:52 AM
WOW ... its fabulous that Andrea's poem inspired you to pen this dark write ... a chill ran down my spine at the graphic imagery. Bravo Arthur and its a lovely tribute to Andrea that her original lines resulted in such a different poem being written :-) hugs Jan xx7
Vaso Avatar
September 23, 2016 at 9:51 PM
Thanks Jan!
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