Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DOLL, by AGNES LEE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DOLL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There's something strange about the child tonight
Last Line: When she comes looking, and it isn't here!
Alternate Author Name(s): Freer, Otto, Mrs.
Subject(s): Dolls; Family Life; Poverty; Toys; Relatives


THE FATHER

There's something strange about the child to-night.
I scolded her because she had forgotten
To fill the stove. She never said a word,
But stood and smiled, as if she might be dreaming.

THE MOTHER

This morning I went out to buy the dinner.
I didn't like to leave her, so I took her.
Well, she was tired from the time we started.
I had to yank her by the arm and pull her.
We went to see the window-show at Field's.
Oh my! -- the dolls! From the first, one held her eye --
A girl, a life-size two-year-old, with a dress
Hand-work all over, and silk socks and slippers.
It couldn't have cost less than fifty dollars.
She looked, and couldn't seem to turn away.
At last she said: "I want to be its mother."
Then it came to me -- what the doctor told us --
Her heart was weak, and we must humor her.
I said: "You'll get it for a Christmas present."
Anyhow I've had peaceful hours since then.
She hasn't fussed, nor had a fainting-spell.
That shows she can be all right, if she's a mind to.
But what on earth'll we say to her to-morrow?

THE FATHER

We'll say how Santa Claus got stuck in the snow.

THE MOTHER

Now hark, I hear her humming in her bed!
She always hums, and never sings out words.
The song they may not hear
I shall draw her very close to me,
With my love.
Oh, could anything more beautiful be
Dreamed of?
She is coming. I must wait,
I must wait.

THE MOTHER

It's all because I let her go to school.
I never was a one for education
For children of her age. It gives 'em notions,
And sets 'em looking up too high at things.
The song they may not hear
My sweet child is like a flower's light.
So is She,
Wonderful Our Lady, in the night
Near me.
She will help me sleep and wait,
Sleep and wait.

THE FATHER

I'll just go out and look along the street --
The men have stood all day there peddling toys.
I'll just go out and buy a top for her.

THE MOTHER

Let her be satisfied with goose for dinner,
And a bag of candy from the school-house tree.
The song they may not hear
I shall hold my daughter's finger-tips --
How they shine!
I shall almost dare to touch her lips
With mine.
I must try to sleep and wait,
Sleep and wait.

THE MOTHER

How can we tell her? -- that's what's bothering me.
How can we tell her, tell her? -- answer that!
Oh, somehow I'm afraid to think of it --
The dark in her eyes I know she'll have to-morrow.
When she comes looking, and it isn't here!





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