The over-the-hill doll by Patricia Wellingham-Jones
in my hands
gift of a smirking friend
sports a red polka-dot
ribbon around her neck
White curls fluff
over eyes rimmed in purple ink
A red felt heart festooned
with straight pins for sticking
on appropriate ailments
sits beside labels on her chest
“boobs, shortness of breath”
In her middle comes
“indigestion, hernia, gas”
Under “saggy belly”
no mention of sex
but lower down comes
“trick knee” then
“bunions & gout”
As if this isn’t enough
I turn the doll over & see
below those white curls
“confusion, insomnia,
stress and stiff neck”
“Flabby arms”
yield to “irregularity”
Still no mention of sex
though “droopy bottom”
does give a slight hint
“Poor circulation, varicose veins
swollen ankles” take me to the floor
I shove the doll into a drawer
slam it shut
