Poor Traits of a Family

Dolly

handfuls of rhinestones to make poodle collars
and mylar cutouts and flat head pins
to make Easter eggs out of plastic L'eggs
foam Faberge gems
and bakers dough to create the Bathtub People -
doughy bodied dimensional with
hair forced through a garlic press, curly
rolled small pea-rounded bits over and over
to make the overflowing bubbles

It was art and finished hung it over the carpet covered toilet

Her costuming legendary at the Ladies' Luncheons
potato sack "Hard Times Couture" with legs for days
also many shoes which matched perfectly
with threads of gold and silver
turquoise cabochons
Lurex jacquard paisley print
dresses that I would call garish
but would wear if
I could

Her laugh
which was a pleasure to hear
while she talked on the phone to her oldest friend
Peggy
(who lost all her hair 
the wig was not spoken of)
had married an alcoholic
but they had known each other back when 
movies and a soda were pocket change
cars had rumble seats
Oh -the Gay Old Times!

Cluck cluck chickie -poor ducks

She told me about some dosey doats
and maresy doats
and little lambsy ivy
and Buffalo Gals under the moon
and Alleen rhymes with Ail Lean
Daddy the country doctor had wanted a boy
Allen
but Grandma Dolly was her name
because she dolled up?

And I would tell her stories. And entertain her
all for that laugh

Cluck cluck chickie -poor ducks