FanStory.com - Paper Dollsby michaelcahill
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free verse
Paper Dolls and Toy Soldiers
: Paper Dolls by michaelcahill


I'm riding a smoke ring
         
                       even as the circle 

                                             starts to vanish
          

I'm looking for a hole
to silently slip through
           unnoticed
           unmissed
but for the faint smell of tobacco
in the bed where I once dreamt


I'm looking for the smallest crevice
to turn sideways
and squeeze through
one finger at a time


            I find a slight line
            in a forgotten corner
            it is the line between
           captivation and captivity


I followed toy soldiers
though I prefer paper dolls


I reluctantly fall into an uneasy sleep


 I dream of doors
 with handles
 that turn
            I dream of windows
            with latches
            that rise with a touch


                   I dream of a child
                   running in a circle  
                   for no reason
  I dream of myself
  running in a circle
  with no purpose   


I awake choking
in a smoke-filled room
with no escape
without the caress of ignorance


I curse the room
designed for captivity


I curse the light
in my eyes
and its mocking clarity


        I curse ...

                                       myself



 
 even as I blow a smoke ring
 around your throat




 

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