Hopkinson_Me and my brother circa 1970s
China Doll
by Trish Hopkinson

She was stunning.
I carefully tore away
the last bit of decorated paper.

Her white ceramic face and delicate
handpainted expression seemed to nod at me
as if to say, I’m yours to treasure.

She was secondhand, like the rest,
but to me, she was new.
I had never owned anything
so fragile.

My parents were new to this town,
but not new to struggle. The local church
pitched in, sent them gift shopping at the Goodwill
free of charge.

What a grand Christmas!

We knew there was no Santa, no elves,
but a random knock on the door
meant our first live Christmas tree
and a box full of California oranges.

My eyes went Shirley Temple wide that Christmas morning,
and I knew, this time, this town, would be different,
felt like home.

PHOTO: The author and her brother, circa 1970s.

hopkinson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Trish Hopkinson has always loved words—in fact, her mother tells everyone she was born with a pen in her hand. She has two chapbooks Emissions and Pieced Into Treetops and has been published in several anthologies and journals, including The Found Poetry Review, Chagrin River Review, andReconnaissance Magazine. She is a project manager by profession and resides in Utah with her handsome husband and their two outstanding children. You can follow her poetry adventures at trishhopkinson.com or on her Facebook page: facebook.com/trishhopkinsonpoet.