The Living Doll

running for trains

in high heels and diamond chains,

to the city an hour away

to waste away her only free day

empty in mind and in spirit

nowhere to be, only shops to visit

.

she prances city streets instead

of the theatre stages in her head

where once she dreamed of dancing prima

as a graceful, revered ballerina

until her mother told her no

classes were not for her to go

.

“Ballet is for thin people”

she told with callous laughter

ridiculing the dream

of her sweet young daughter

destroying so much in just one line

as the child despaired, pretending she was fine

.

now she searches for the right dress

to ensure she never looks a mess

desperate to attract someone to love her

and undo the damage inflicted by mother

somehow she believes that finding romance

will lead her one day into learning to dance