Thumbelina

Once held with love, by hands so small-
You’d hardly know that they were mine;
Her hair, a matted yellow mess
That sticks strait up, from hands and time,

The dress, Aunt Rose knit with gnarled hands,
Still ties up proper in the back,
It hides her scars; so much undone
While keeping dignity in tact,

One of her fingers’ is too short
When I was small, I bit it off;
Her neck’s been stretched from need and love
Which now I hide with velvet cloth,

Her eyes, the same sky blue as hers-
A mother ripped from life and earth-
Who passed away, leaving her child
One blue-eyed doll and no self worth…

Many a year flew by in time-
An adult with kids of my own-
When our house burned, consuming all,
From photos to refuge of home,

There came from ashes, hope reborn-
A beauty with eyes of sky blue,
Covered in suet, fire-scarred but safe,
The only thing that made it through!

A miracle or mothers hand,
That saved her from the fire's embrace?
To place her safe with honor, down
Atop the snow to cool her face,

This doll may look a ragged mess
To those whose tears she hasn't dried,
But when I look in those blue eyes
I see a child’s love, survived…

My Thumbelina, dread locked doll
No other friend could e’er replace
Her love; I love her battle scars,
Where memory lives upon her face…





2nd place winner in Karen Neary's TRASH or TREASURE contest , 5/2008
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Rhinem Avatar
February 4, 2014 at 2:59 PM
..."THUMBLELINA, *:*(* `MY SWEET BABY GIRL ~ MY BELOVED
Moreno Avatar
May 10, 2009 at 2:15 AM
Kristin, nice work and congrats on your feature...Raul
Tugaff Avatar
May 7, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Hello Kristin, congratulations on your featured poem. Mine is also featured. Ernilando
Loving Iii Avatar
May 6, 2009 at 11:43 AM
congradulations on being featured this week. john h loving iii
Townsend Avatar
May 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Congratulations on having this TREASURE featured this week. Beautiful. Smiles from Lolita
Loving Iii Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 3:42 PM
congrads on being featured. john
Mckenzie Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Kristin Wow what a story a fire is such a devastating thing but that blue eyed doll made it through! Congratulations on a wonderfully written featured poem! Love Laura :)
Nutter Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 11:58 AM
It is easy to see why it was featured. Congratulations on being featured this week.
Bingham Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 11:49 AM
That is an awesome story, the only thing that survived the fire, Wow. Congrats on this one being featured as I can sure see why. Blessings to you. Ron
Fraser Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Kristin, this is the first poem i have read about a doll, and it will take a fabulous write to top it. A lovely story in poem, James,x
Austin Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Not typical Kristin Reynolds, but wonderful...shows your versatility so well. Congrats on this selection, old friend. Love, daver
Esquire Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Dear Kristin,Congratulations on YOUR Featured POEM "Thumbelina" WOW this is absolutely amazing another Congrats on YOUR 2nd place Win in Karen's Contest I can picture verses 7 and 8 Great Write a well deserved Feature YOURS ALWAYS...HG
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 6:55 AM
Still like this one, Kristin. Congrats on "Thumbelina" being featured. Vince
Winter Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 6:25 AM
An outstanding write. I remember this so well, packed with such emotion, written to perfection. Warmest congrats an an exceptional featured write. Love, Shar
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 4:09 AM
I cried. I still have my precious baby doll...the only one I would play with. My family survived a house fire. My daughter lost most everything of hers. We had to move out for 6 months. A beautiful crochet bed cover that My great grandmother had made only received a little suet while most everything else in that cabinet was ruined. I identified. Your poem is wonderful. No wonder it was prized. Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. Love, Dane
Docherty Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 3:40 AM
Wonderful writing, Congratulations on being featured, kindest thoughts, Anna-Marie.
Strand Avatar
May 4, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Congrats on your feature this week Kristin Rgds Brian
 Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Another win for this creative poem. Congratulations on having it featured. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Keep on writing. Karen
Richards Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 7:33 PM
This was such a wonder that I missed the first time it was posted, and so glad to have another chance to visit! Congratulations on having this be featured this week, dear Kristin! Yea, for you!!
Loveless Avatar
April 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Wow. I cant find the words. But i had to leave soemthing. Lovely and touching. <33 Jese
Brown Avatar
June 11, 2008 at 6:53 AM
Congratulations on your win in Karen's contest Kristin. Excellent writing. Love, Carol
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