Unsettling Playthings


toothy
permanent smiles
rise from pink painted lips
the glassy eyes stare unblinking,
frozen limbs poised,
reaching

silent
tea parties held
with stuffed bears attending,
make believe mimicking real life,
tiny teacups
empty

giggles
strangely absent,
a playroom sits empty
of little girls and little boys,
plastic playmates
unnerve

shadows
across the floor
stir imagination
to believe a doll took a breath
and a glass eye
to wink

unease
motivates feet
to search for an escape
 from the small, unsettling playthings
a door opens
relief

©Susie Clevenger 2011
Photograph: Photobucket
Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge: Stephen King Quotes
“Dolls with no little girls around to mind them were sort of creepy under any conditions.” 

Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
I think there is something sad in a discarded doll, face cracked, hair scrumpled up, forgotten at the top of a cupboard, rather like an abandoned child.
Your poem points to how eerie, their life-like personas can turn out to be. Thanks for participating in the challenge on Real Toads.
nicolewian said…
I loved this. The picture and the poem. I used to think my dolls were alive as a child.
Maude Lynn said…
Yikes, this is creepy!
Marian said…
cinquain? almost? well done and creepy!
theme and words well played!
Kay L. Davies said…
Oh yes, dolls creep me out sometimes. I loved my own, though.
Very well done!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I enjoyed this read.......the tone of the poem perfectly captures the creepyness of the lifeless but life-like dolls. Good one.
Christine said…
never liked those dolls, hard to concentrate when they are staring at me
Sheila said…
nice take on the quote - love me some stephen king
Cathy Feaster said…
creepy...definitely reminds me of Stephen King. dolls can definitely be spooky if you let them get into your head ;)
Brian Miller said…
shivers...dolls are creepy...love me some stephen king though...nice expansion on his thought...and great creepy texture to it...
M. A. S. said…
That's like an episode of the Twilight Zone. Nice creepy poem.