Better Than Roses, Thank You St. Therese

in Christmas storybooks the dolls are all lined up
in the pictured shop window, variously
dressed in pink, in blue, in yellow and mint green

with matching socks, appealing arms stretched out,
curly hair and an apron over their frocks
that looks like milk white silk

and so, reading the story you pick all four
gazing at the picture
while the storybook girls pick just the one.

all childhood long I did this
with every picture.
I chose all

and felt a little piglike as I did
even though it was only wishing
until St. Therese with her "Jesus,

I choose all" story
made me feel
a whole lot better.

mary angela douglas 20 july 2016