Coming Out

So prudish,
So fitting.
In their proper place,
Miniature knick-knacks
adorning shelves.
Space assigned to them.
So provincial,
standing among their own.
Delighting onlookers;
on command
twirling in whirly-skirts
till taken down,
played with
and returned. 

Their lives,
pleated,
ironed,
washed
and hung out
to dry;
have shrunk
and wrinkled
with the passing of time
and the shelf 
will no longer do.

© 2005 – Michael A. Wells – All Rights Reserved