by Nick Gisburne
My daughter is exceptionally vexed
A devastating school day ends in tears
Of course I half expected what comes next
The secret has been simmering for years
“You told me to be careful, not to fall
But never mind the climbing, or the tree!
I’m just a doll! I’m not a girl at all!”
She pulls a wad of stuffing from her knee
I find a patch inside the sewing kit
And stitch her back together, good as new
Explaining what is awkward to admit
“We’re all the same inside us, me and you
Your friends, your teachers, all of us are toys
At least you don’t have broken brains, like boys”
