Butterfly Ripples

Porcelain Girl

Porcelain girl,

draw a rattling breath,

take minute steps

from your place.

The old mantlepiece

has become far too dusty,

far too small

for one such

as you.

Fragile, so fragile,

limbs so very stiff

from all the months waiting,

frozen in place.

Cobwebs brush over

an undusted shoulder

glassy eyes stare out

at nothing.

Clothes no longer

in order,

bright colours fading

Lace has gone mouldy

and damp.

Whispers of wind

beckon from a gap

under the door,

and your pale cheeks

seem to colour;

so slightly.

Dark curtains enable

a slow, slow descent

puppet hands reach out

and grab at the fabric -

look down:

so far

yet so short

a fall.

Porcelain joints

shift in discomfort

as you heave the body

from the mantlepiece.

Feet can't find holds,

they scramble against

the curtain,

they give up;

let the arms

do the work.

So very breakable,

so very slow;

one hand after another,

swing down.

The fabric is not slippery:

The curtains are dusty

but pastry arms

are hurting.

A small breath of air

enters the lungs

as you gasp in discomfort

now again in surprise -

Oh, air

the taste of you

is beautiful.

A foot from the bottom,

half of that,

two inches -

tumbles from the curtain

in one single motion,

rolls onto the carpet

in the still and the quiet.

One eye opens

sees door standing ajar,

porcelain limbs are so weary

and that journey seems far.

Stiff arms and legs

push up from the floor,

stumble to your feet

begin to walk.

The air seems to beckon;

it seems so very bright

stride lengthens

cheeks brighten

eyes glimmer

and are not so glassy

anymore.

Small puffs of wind

carry flower pollen

into the dark dusty room -

Achoo!

A smile begins to form

sneezing

now this is a new wonder

and delight.

A head

cranes around the door

to the world

beyond.

Porcelain girl -

how did you not know

of the wonders out here:

oh, the flowers,

the ground,

the wind,

the trees,

the air so pure

you feel you must sneeze.

A glow

begins to grow

within the eye,

limbs no longer stiff

and sore,

dust and cobwebs

blown away.

Porcelain girl,

take your first steps

in the garden.