How to Appreciate 'Girl Toys'

On Christmas morning, you will be woken in a start,

your son and daughter, their eyes twinkling, will demand their presents,

and you must appease them post hast,

ladies first, let your daughter unwrap her newest doll,

and turn away before her little smile fades,

barren of color on her porcelain cheeks,

it'll be nearly impossible to tell how miserable she must be,

the little doll must be treasured, even if-

it's only for show.

-

Import her from China,

buy her a new dress from the cheapest website you can find,

convince the girl she didn't want something tomboyish and rough,

anything is fine,

it's only for show.

-

Your daughter will complain,

hating the frilly dress and the way it never blinks,

this is the time to scold her for being too opinionated,

Put on a smile for Grandmother’s sake!

Don't make a boyish fuss and be grateful!

This attitude of yours,

it's only for show!

-

Another Christmas of asking for trading cards,

only to get stuck with a miniature woman burden,

child-raising, plastic chores, and a toy kitchen,

trained early to be brides and mothers,

this is the best she can hope for,

so,

if you start feeling bad,

ignore the fact that they are children,

your daughter will sit and watch,

as your son makes all the noise he wants,

and eventually, she'll do as you taught her-

a mantra of come-on-baby-smile-for-me,

will sound through the playmats,

she'll sit like a perfect doll,

just the way the world wants her,

and,

when the wrapping paper is cleaned,

tell her to put the doll up on the bookcase,

it's only for show.