Curled on her little bed, eyes closed, fast asleep,
Cradling a doll in her arms with eyes blue deep
She slept through dad's infidelity and smoke
She slept through mom's liquor and heart-broke
Tears failed to fade the cheeks, so painted pink
And dreams hid between black lashes so thick
Painted smiles knew little joy but many pains.
Not only dolls had doll faces to wear when it rains
Cameras captured the wrong smiles and bluff
They never held right memories she dreamt of
She whispered broken lullabies to doll's deaf ears
Her little shoulders felt the weight of infinite spears
Sorrows came uninvited to her plastic tea party
But still she dreamt of frilly dresses so sparkly.
Her dolls knew her little game of perfect family
They played along to not to let her feel misery
Parents never knew the walls were frail and thin
Brother downed their obnoxious fights in gin
Blue glassy eyes saw things you will never see
Little plastic mouth knew secrets that never flee
Though it hurts, she put on a smile so erect
For neighbours thought her family is perfect
She drew the curtains together at late night
For neighbours thought her family is right
The next day she had another puppet show to link,
For invisible strings are stronger than you think.
So she slept and in her arms, the doll laid no apart-
A plastic heart beating against another plastic heart.