Thursday, April 3, 2008
hello, old friend.
2:00 AM
it's storming outside
I've been sitting inside my room (the safest place in the whole house now)
with all the lights off except for the one lamp;
listening to deb talan crackle softly over the speakers with pencil in hand; sketching high-waisted dresses for summer days off, wellies and high hems, pale lace detailing and ruffled sleeves.
golden toasted waffles and blueberry and chocolate fondue, all in the special painted porcelain tinkerbell bowl that no-one else is allowed to use except me. mm.
today is a lovely day to do nothing at all.
days like these make me want to stay indoors and have tea parties with dollhouse porcelain and ivory English china, while the weather rages outside the window and howls at the latches.
answer in hushed tones-- this house cannot take any more yelling.
say yes to whatever they tell you, hide resentment behind your growing fringe,
never stomp up the stairs, close the door quietly behind you as you go.
wear the soft chiffon headbands she buys and take whatever he says, yes daddy.
play the part of the perfect daughter.
cradle them when they cry.
and tomorrow I shall buy a vintage postcard of some obscure television family
pat the dog, mother, daddy, peter, jane, emily-- all enamel smiles and laced up boots
fade the edges with candle smoke
stick it into a frame
and call it our family photograph.